
Qa5S_ ^ r\ Ot6 



U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner. 



D- n p 1 i e ft t-a. 

THE 



SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 
STEAMER ALBATROSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,1898. 



By JEFFERSON F. MOSER, 

COMMANDER. UNITED STATES NAVY, COMMANDING. 



Extracted from U, S. Fish Commission Bulletin for 1898, Pages 1 to 178. Plates 1 to 63. Charts A and B. 



AVASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1899. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

RE6E1VED 

DEC 101901 

DIVISION OF DOCUMENTS. 



NOV 27 1901 
D.ofO, 



:a n 



y\ 



Bull. U. S. F C. 1898. (To face page 1.) 




FALLS IN STREAM AT SKOWL ARM, KASAAN BAY, SOUTHEAST ALASKA 



TIIR SALMON WD SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION STEAMER 
ALBATROSS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1898. 



Itv JEFFERSON F. MOSER, 
CoiniiuDiJir, i'nileJ Stales Navy, Coiiimaiiding. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

The following reiioit of the oiieiatioiis of the steamer Alhalross aiul party iiiidtu' 
my coiimuiud for tbe fiscal year ending June 30, l.S'JS, is respectfully submitted: 

In order to cover iu one report tlie work of the summer of lSt)7 it will be necessary 
to refer to the time of the arrival of the party in the field, a date earlier than .June .'!(), 
IS'M , tbe time of closing my previous report. 

While the Allnitross was engaged in setting deep sea gill nets along the edge of 
the Pacific plateau for thepurposeof ascertaining, if possible, the sea salmon-grounds, 
instructions were received, tinder date of April '23, 1897, directing the vessel to visit 
Alaska, for the purpose of investigatiTig the salmon and halibut fisheries. 

Under these instructions, modified by subsequent experience, the plan of work 
for the investigation of the salmon streams and the salmon industry of Alaska was 
laid out as follows: To commence at the southern boundary and work in detail to the 
northward and westward, visiting all canneries and all streams carrying commercial 
salmon, whether flslied or not; to obtain at the canneries statistics of streams fi.slied 
by them, reaching over as many years as the records would furnish data, and, in 
addition, detailed statistics regarding the persons, ves.sels, boats, and api)aratus 
employed in the fisheries, together with the catch and pack of the various species 
of salmon: to explore the streams and lakes and ascertain the general features and 
characteristics, so far as they relate to salmon and other fishes, spawning-grounds, 
condition and nature of the water, character of shores, vegetation, species of salmon 
entering, their movements, time and duration of runs, size of fish, abundance, waste 
species, signs and causes of depletion, the mortality of the different species on the 
spawning-grounds, natural and artificial obstructions to the passage of fish, fishing 
methods and their relation to the maintenance of supply, data relating to conditions 
for hatcheries, etc. 

In connection with the studies of the salmon industry it was decided that the 
halibut grounds could be examined and practical information obtained as to their 
location, depth, extent, the abundance and size of the fish, the proper bait, and other 
points. 

F. C. li. I8i)8-1 1 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The detail of tlie vessel to proceed from Sitka to Bering Sea ou special duty 
caused the abaiuloiimeut of the original scheme of proceeding systematically from the 
southern bouudary to the northward, as it was thought advisable, after fulfilling the 
mission referred to, to examine the salmon fisheries along the Aleutian chain and work 
from the westward, instead of returning to southeast Alaska and continuing the work 
to the northward. By making this change all the canneries in operation in Alaska, 
outside of Bering Sea, and many of the streams were visited. There are, however, 
so many streams in the Territory, particularly in what is known as southeast Alaska, 
that, while the party has covered a great area and has now a thorough acquaintance 
with the subject, the work so far as it relates to stream and lake exploration has only 
been commenced. 

Th& Albatross arrived at Mary Island, southeast Alaska, June G, 1898. and i)ursued 
the following itinerary during the investigation: 



Mary Iflland, soutbeaat Alaska June G 

Boca (le Quadra June 7-8 

Ketchikiin, Tongass Narrows^ Juue 9-10 

Port Chester, Annette Island June 10-13 

Nichols Bay. Prince of Wales Island June 12-14 

Hunter Bay, Prince of Wales Island Juno 14-22 

Niblack Anchorage, Prince of "Wales Island. June 22-24 
Cbasiua Ani;borage, Prince of Wales Island. June 24-25 

Karta Bay, Prince of Wales Island June 25-28 

Xasaan Bay, Prince of Wales Island June 28 

Loriug, Naha Bay Juno 28-July 2 

Tes or McDonald Bay, Cleveland Peninsula . . . July 2-3 

Helm Bay, Cleveland Peninsula July 3 

Thorne Bay, Prince of Wales Island July 3-6 

Point Highfleld, Wrangell Island July 6-8 

Duncan Canal, southern end July 8-9 

Eillisnoo, Kenasnow Island - . J uly 9-11 

Sitka, Baranof Island July 11-15 

St. Paul, Kadiak Island July 17 

Karluk, Kadiak Island July 18-20 

Dutch Harbor, TJnalaska July 23-27 

Chignik Bay, Ala.ska Peninsula July 29-Aug. 2 

Karluk, Kadiak Island Aug. 2-6 

Uyak Bay, Kadiak Island Aug. 6-10 



Little Kivcr, Kadiak Islaud Aug. 10 

Ugauuk, Kadiak Islaud Aug. 10-14 

Kussilof Kiver, Cook Inlet Aug. 15-17 

Port Etches, Prince William Sound Aug. 17 

Orca, Prince William Sound Aug. 18-26 

Yakutat, Takutat Bay Aug. 27-30 

Sitka, Baranof Island Aug. 31-Sept. 5 

Kedtish Bay, Baranof Island Sept. 5-8 

Klawak Inlet, Prince of Wales Island Sept. 9-18 

Killisnoo, Kenasnow Island Sept. 19-21 

Cbilkat Village Sept. 22-25 

Point Hightield, Wrangell Islaud .Sept. 25 

Loring, Naba Bay Sept. 26-28 

Ketchikan, Tongass Karrows Sept. 28 

Metlakab tla, Annette Island Sept. 29 

Seattle, Washington Oct.8-13 

Tacoma, Washington Oct. 13-24 

Seattle, Washington Oct. 24-25 

Union Bay, Vancouver Island Oct. 26-29 

Sausalito, California Nov. 2-Dec. 5 

Farallon Islands Dec. 5-6 

Sausalito, California Dec. 6-20 

San Diego Bay, California Dec. 22-31 



Many of the i)oints visited were unsurveyed, and existing sketches were found 
to be unreliable and inaccurate. In addition to the regular work connected with the 
investigations, many reconnaissances and sextant surveys were made, astronomical 
observations for latitude, longitude, and magnetic declination were taken, and hydro- 
graphic notes and sailing directions collated. 

At Karluk, Kadiak Island, Mr. A. B. Alexander, fishery expert attached to the 
Albatross, was landed, to make inquiries concerning the extensive salmon fisheries 
of the Karluk Eiver while the vessel was on her way to Unalaska. Mr. Alexander's 
report contains much valuable material on this subject, and is incorporated in the 
chapter on that region. 

During the latter part of the season the progress of the work was much impeded 
by boisterous and stormy weather. The vessel arrivetl at Seattle, Wash., October 8. 
After docking the ship and making some minor repairs, San Francisco was reached 
November 2, where inquiries regarding their work were made among the officials of 
the various packing companies, the majority of those operating in Alaska having their 
main ofiBces iu San Francisco. On December 20 the Albatross proceeded to San Diego 
Bay to undergo a general refitting and overhauling. She was lying at this point at 



THE SALMON AND SALMON I'^ISHERIES OP ALASKA. d 

the outbreak of the Spanish war, wlieu, by order of the President, she was detailed 
to the Navy Dei)artinent for use as an auxiliary cruiser. 

Before proceeding to the report of tlie investigations, I desire to express my 
appreciation of the work performed by the ofiQcers of the Albatross, and of the cour- 
tesies extended by those interested in the canneries. Lieut. L. M. Garrett, U. S. N., 
besides carrying on his duties as executive officer, made all the observations for 
geographical positions. Lieut. H. E. Parmenter, U. S. N., in addition to his duties as 
chief engineer, conducted the field work of nearly all the surveys and plotted the 
work. Lieut. J. P. McGuinness, U. S. N., conducted the field work of several surveys, 
but was mostly engaged in examining salmon streams and lakes. Ensign Yates 
Stirling, jr., U. S. N., was employed in stream and 'lake examinations and conducted 
the hydrography. Ensign S. V. Graham, U. S. N., assisted in the surveys. Mr. A. B. 
Alexander assisted in the stream and lake examinations, and Messrs. F. M. Chamber- 
lain and H. C. Fassett assisted generally, both rendering valuable service in pho- 
tography. All performed their several duties in a commendable and satisfactory 
manner. The Alaska Packers' Association furnished me with a letter to all their can- 
neries, directing the superintendents to ofler the Albatross every facility for conducting 
the inquiries and examinations. All the other canneries also extended every courtesy, 
and at no place were any obstacles i)laced in our way. 

For convenience, the salmon fisheries of Alaska may be divided into five districts, 
as follows: First, or southeast Alaska district, from the southern boundary to Gape 
Spencer; second, or Prince William Sound and Copper Kiver district, from Cape 
Spencer to Cape Elizabeth; third, or Cook Inlet district, from Cape Elizabeth to Cai^e 
Douglas; fourth, or Kadiak and Chignik district, from Cape Douglas to Unimak'Pass; 
and fifth, or Bering Sea district. 

Considering the pack of salmon from 1878 to 1897, the percentage of pack in the 
difl'erent districts, as averaged from the tables, is approximately as follows : 

Southeast Alaska (Lower, 15.0; Upper, 8.2). 23.2 

Prince AVilliam Sound and Copper River 6.6 

Cook Inlet 6.5 

Kadiak (35.7)and Chignik (8.1) 43.8 

Bering Sea 19.9 

100 

As the redfish is the commercial fish, the other species being packed incidentally, 
or to fill up the quota when other kinds are scarce, no attempt was made to examine 
streams other than those having the red salmon, except when detained, or in localities 
where no positive information on the subject could otherwise be obtained. Ileliable 
information relating to the streams is difficult to secure. There are large areas where 
not a single person can be found, except during the fishing season. Many hours were 
spent in Indian villages, surrounded by bucks and "klootchmen," children and dogs, 
tracing the geography of the country on the sand and trying to ascertain where the 
salmon streams of the vicinity were located, but generally without much reward. 
Their names for the different species of salmon are conflicting, and their geography 
vague and confusing. The largest species in a locality is always a "tyee." In many 
places they call the redfish "coho," and when it was intimated that the name was 
usually applied to the silver salmon, a quiet smile has been seen to pass around, 
expressive of our supreme ignorance. 



4 BULLETIN OK THE UNITED STA'l'lOS FISK COMMISSION. 

Even when white men are met and ijuestioiu'd, information relating to tlie streams 
is difficult to obtain with any degree of exactness. The men at the head of the can- 
neries know the cannery business thoronghly. They know how to get the tish to the 
canneries, i)ack them, case them for the market, and figure on the profits, but it is 
exceptionally rare to And one who has followed even his home stream to its source 
and examined the lake system and the spawning-grounds. This is not said in a spirit 
of criticism, for the cannerymen are interested only in obtaining lish, but to indicate 
the difficulty of gathering the information desired in our work, except by persoinil 
examination and investigation. 

As the work progressed it was soon learned by certain signs, and independently 
of any information except by examination, whether a stream carried redfish. A 
shack near the mouth of the stream, with some lishing gear and a canoe or two housed 
in, was one sign, but it sometimes failed. A barricade, or the remnants of one at 
high water mark in the stream, was an infallible sign of a redfish stream. Another 
sign was the color of the flowing water; if clear, it was probably not a lake outlet, and 
carried no red salmon ; if but slightly tinged, brownish, not unlike the juniper water of 
the Dismal Swamp, it was a lake outlet, and probably contained redfish, and possibly 
all the other species as well. 

The exploration of these streams and lakes is not an easy task. The bed of the 
stream is the only highway, and this taxes endurance to the utmost, and, at the best, 
progress is slow. The current is generally strong, the river bed is full of pitfalls, and 
after an advance of a mile, climbing over bowlders, crossing rapids, clinging to the 
shubbery growing on the faces of precipitous rock walls, and tumbling through trees 
and over log jams, one feels that certain muscles have been called into play that 
have never before been known to exist. Practically no advance can be made on the 
banks; here and there deer trails can be followed, but they lead off away from the 
course and into the mountains. The forest itself is almost imftenetrable, not only 
on account of the vegetable growth, but because the mass of fallen and decaying 
timber and its debris form obstructions that are very dilliciilt to i>ass. The parties 
frequently returned to the vessel well-nigh exhausted, and in several instances men 
gave out while on duty. 

In carrying on the investigations the importance of obtaining detailed records 
from the different streams was recognized, not only to determine their capacity, but 
to be able to trace injury caused by traps, barricades, overfishing, etc. In a few 
instances only are complete records available, and even in these cases the waste at 
the fisheries aiul the amounts taken for local consumption and for winter food are 
unknown. The mastersof cannery steamers in calling at the different fisheries record 
the number from each locality in a notebook when the fish are bought, and the amounts 
are paid nixm delivery at the cannery. If the fish are obtained at fisheries conducted 
by the canneries, no accurate account is kept by localities. When the season is over 
and settlement is made, these memorandum books are thrown away or lost. Besides, 
there are freijuent changes of masters, steamers, and cannery suiierintendents. 

The Alaska Packers' Association now have printed form books at each cannery 
operated by them, in which are recorded, for each day, the state of the weather and the 
number of each species of fish received at the cannery and i>acked, so that at present 
the number of fish handled at any one of their canneries can be learned. If accurate 
stream records could be kept, it would be of great value, not only to the Government 
in framing laws, but to the canneries themselves. 



, U. S. F, C. 1898. (To face page 4.) 




PHOTOGRAPHING UNDER DIFFICULTIES, NEAR LORING. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON PISHKRtES Ol-' ALASKA. 



THE SALMON OF ALASKA. 
COMMDN NAMES. 

Tlie salmon packed in Alaska cousists for the most jiart of tlie species called 
"iL'dtisU" in that region (Oneorhi/nchuH nerl'a), and referred to in this report by that 
name. It is known in other localities as blneback salmon, Fra.ser River salmon, 
sawqui, sockeye, or saukeye salmon, and krasnaya ryba. Fonr other species are also 
packed, but they form only a relatively small portion of the outjjut. Of these the 
principal species is the hurai)back {Oiicorln/xcliiis fidrhuscha). The next important 
species is the coho (O. kisi(tcli), also called the silver salmon, .skowit/., hoopid salmon, 
bielaya ryba, kisutch, and qnisut.scli. 




I'liE Rrd Salmon {Oncorhyuchus mrka). 
(UiiptT ligiiie rciiresinta liali \>v(nm ™tpring riviT lor brpcding; lower tigiir4. reprpaiMila lireoiling rn.-ilc ) 

The king salmon (O. Ischairytficha), which is by far the most valuable sjiecies in 
the Pacific States, is com])aratively in.significant in numbers in Alaska. It is known 
in other localities as quinnat salmon, chinook salmon, Oolumbia salmon, Sacramento 
salmon, tyee salmon, saw-kwey, chouicha, and tschavitche. 

The dog salmon {(>. 1;eta) is the least important of all the salmon of Alaska. 

There are some local variations of the common names. At Hunter Bay the king 
salmon (O. tschawytucha) is referred to as " spring salmon." At ^^ rangell the redflsh 



6 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

(0. nerlca) is called "silver salmon," and the coho (0. hisutch) is called "tyee." In 
Prince AVilliaia Sound the small redfish are called "bluebacks" and the large ones 
"redfish." At Klawak and Sukkwan the coho is called "tyee," and at Killisnoo the 
same salmon is called " kluck." 



RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE SALMONS. 

The salmon pack of Alaska, considered in the order of the market values per case 
of the canned fish, is made up of king, redfish, cohoes, and humpbacks; and, in the 
order of abundance for commercial use, redfish, humpbacks, cohoes, and king. It is 
said that there are more humpbacks in the streams of Alaska thau redfish; and this 
is undoubtedly true in certain sections, such as southeast Alaska. In the opinions 
of the canners, with which I am in hearty accord, the coho should rank next after the 
king salmon in food value. Its meat is more delicately flavored and contains more 
oil thau that of the redfish, but it lacks the full, deep, red color of the latter, which 
is popularly supposed to indicate the best quality of salmon. In reality, the redfish 
is coarse and dry compared to the coho. 

The dog salmon are packed very sparingly; in fact, in only one cannery was 
this species utilized as such in 1897, and then only about 1,000 cases were i^acked. 
In another locality, in one cannery, a few humpbacks and dog salmon are packed 
together under humpback labels, and at nearly all canneries, where different sjiecies 
are packed, a straggling dog salmon, if in good condition, may be included; but as a 
rule dog salmon are 7iot used, and may be considered a waste species. 

The run of none of the minor species of salmon in 1897 outside of Bering Sea 
was very large, except that of humpbacks in southeast Alaska; the humpback, king, 
coho, and dog salmon figure only incidentally in the packs. A reference to the detailed 
output by canneries will make this clear. None of the canneries were able to handle 
the supply of humpbacks in 1897, and they were obliged to limit the catches. Of 
the total number of this species packed, 140,500 cases, or nearly 90 per cent, were 
credited to southeast Alaska. The waste was very large; not only were the canneries 
obliged to reject many fish, but at the fisheries double the number that could be 
sold were frequently hauled. At Fish Creek one seine haul contained 2'i,000 hump- 
backs. While there was an over-abundance of humpbacks, the redfish were very 
scarce, and the pack of this species is small compared to 1890, which was a good red- 
fish year. 

lu 1897 the different species were represented in the pack as follows: 



Species. 


Caaes (each 
coDsistiDg 
of 48 one- 
pound cans). 


Percentage. 




688, 581 
157, 711 
43, 657 
18, 133 
1,096 


75.74 
17. 35 
4.79 
2.00 
0.12 


Hurapbacli 


Kino- 




Total 


909, 078 


100.00 





THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 7 

THE SALMON RUNS. 

In the detailed accounts of the ditterent streams are given the times during which 
the various species of salmon run, based on the delivery of flsh at the canneries. 
There is a great variation in the streams, but by referring to these records and to the 
table which gives the packs for the different canneries and the dates between which 
the packs were made, a fair idea may be obtained of the time when salmon run in 
sufficient numbers for commercial purposes. These dates vary greatly, but it appears 
as though the onshore movement came from the westward, the large rivers of a region 
receiving the first impulses. This movement is but natural when it is cousidered that 
the larger streams extend their influences wider and farther, and the fish naturally 
come first within the influence of these Avaters and follow them to their sources. 

The king salmon, as a rule, probably come first; and, while not abundant at any 
fishing station in Alaska, they are found scattering everywhere, and individual 
stragglers occur in nearly every stream and throughout the entire season. 







The King Salmon (Onvorhnnchus tsehmvytscha). 

As soon as the ice clears sufficiently to permit fishing the king salmon are taken, 
the earliest at the Copper River about May G, at the mouth of the Stikine liiver about 
May 15, while Cook Inlet and Taku River are not sufficiently clear until later — about 
May 25. In these localities a few redfish are taken with the earliest fishing, showing 
that they are present, and as soon as they run in sufficient numbers to fish for them 
the gear is changed, except in Cook Inlet, where king salmon are fished for until the 
latter part of July. The fishing for king salmon in other localities does not cease 
because fewer fish run, but because the run of redfish is much larger and the fishing 
more profitable. It is generally believed, and my observations confirm the view, that 
the king salmon run in numbers only in streams fed in part by glacial waters. 

In different i^arts of this report, under stream or cannery headings, detailed 
reference is made to the runs of redfish, which need not be repeated here. In 
localities other than those in the vicinity of the larger rivers — that is, on purely redfish 
ground — it will be noticed that they run first in the Karluk district, where packing 
usually begins during the first days of June ; Chignik follows about the middle of June, 
and Prince William Sound and southeast Alaska in the latter part of the same month. 
The streams nearer the sea receive the first fish, though there are many exceptions, as 
will be seen by reference to the stream notes. The run at Karta Bay, for instance, 



8 



lU'LIJC'riX OF TIIK. rXITKI) STATKS FISH COMMISSION. 



which is well inside, and ;i lonu' distance from the outside waters, is very early. There 
is a great variation in time even in adjoining streams; and while in some streams in 
southeast Alaska redfish run early — that is, before July 1 — few cauueries in that 
section begin to operate before July 1 to 7, and those that operate probably do not pay 
expenses; but they get their fisheries organized and the cannery in running order, and 
when the big runs commence they are ready for work. Pyramid Harbor and Wrangell, 
where a few king salmon are packed, commencing in May, slionld be excepted. 

In southeast Alaska ditterent streams are often referred to as "early" or "late" 
for certain species, and wliilc there is undoubtedly some difference, and occasionally 
considerable, it is probably not so great as is often imagined. A stream having a 
large number of salmon will have the earliest arrivals in sufficient numbers to make 
their i)resence a]jparent, while a stream producing r>,()(iO to 1(1,(10(1 will lia\c so few 
early arrivals that they will not be noticed. 

I']xcept at Karluk, where the runs frequently extend to the first of October, and 
in the large rivers, the cannerymen usually count on about six weeks for the duration 
of the run of redfish; but if there is a variation in the timeof commencing the run there 
is a still greater variation of time at the end, and in many localities much depends upon 




The Cdiio 1)1! Sii.A i.i: Salmon i(iiiiviliiintliii.'< l.isiitch). 

the stage of water in the river. If the water is low, so the fish can not ascend, they 
are held in the salt or brackish water an<l do not seem to ripen so rai)idly, but if there 
is sufiicient water they do not remain around the mouth of the river very long, but pass 
rajiidly to the lakes. 

The bulk of the redfish pack is made in July and the early part of August, though 
most of the <!anneries i>ack until the latter part of Augnst, and some into September, 
but exce])t at Karluk these are only a few fish that are taken in connection with tlie 
humpbacks and cohoes, which then form the body of the pack. 

Cohoes are not plentiful anywhere in Alaska. Those from the streams on the 
mainland are said to be larger than those from the island streams. The run for 
commercial purposes commences the first week in August and continues until after 
the canneri(^s close, Sei)tember .!(). There is, however, the same variation in the runs 
of cohoes as noted for redfish. The cannery at Wrangell, whicli i)acks cohoes from 
Lake Bay, usually commences canning the first week in July; at Tolstoi (Tliorne Bay) 
the fish run nearly at the same time, but these are unusually "early" streams; as a 
rule, tljey are in other localities from three to four weeks later, though scattering 
fish are taken throughout the season. 



.11, U. S. F C. 1898 iTo face page 8.) 




HUMPBACK bALMON FROtvl STREAM AT HEAD OF UGANUK 



Till'. SALMON AN'l) SALMOK FISIIEKIES OT ALASKA. 9 

nuiiiphacks iiiiiy bo .said to run in southeiist Ala.ska, wliero tlio ]>rin('.ipal pat-lc of 
humphacks is made, rroiii July 15 to August ir>, though stniw years they may be a 
week earlier, and at some cauneries these iisli are packed until September 1. In 
Prince William Sound they seem to bo about a week earlier. It is said that they are 
in good condition for packing oidy about one month. Late in the season the meat 
seems watery, and it is dillicult to iirepare a can of full weight. 

Dog salmon are not very numerous, and as they are not used for commercial i)ur- 
poses no record concerning their run is available. AtOhignik in 1S!)7 tlie run was at 
itsliciglit August 1, forming at that time ."> per cent of the catch; at TTganuk, Kadiak 
Island, the fish were dead and dying in the streams on August 12; at a cannery in 
southeast Alaska a few were packed from July 17 to August 0; at Hunter Bay the 
run is said to last from August 1 to October 1, which is doubtless an error; at Tolstoi 
it is said they run with the humpbacks, which is probably more nearly correct. They 
are, however, taken scatteriTigly throughout the season. Along the Alaskan Peninsula 
and the Aleutian Islands they are preferred by the natives for their winter sup|)ly of 
" ukali.'" 





Thr IttiMI'IiACK i<AJM<»! (Oiicm-hijiir.hKS ijnrhiischn). Sea-rnn. 

No definite information about steellieads was obtained. They arc nowhere very 
.abundant, are not used except for local purposes, and ])robablyrun when the canneries 
are clo.sed. At Ketchikan it is said they run from the middle of May to the last of 
June, though .some seasons they aie seen as early as the middle of April. At Tolstoi 
it was claimed they run from November to April, but are taken about every month in 
the year in various conditions of spawning. 

SrAWNINd AND OTHEU TIABIT!^. 

Little is known of th(^ sea habits of salmon, and it may therelore .seem useless to 
speak in this report of beliefs and imiiressions which have been acquired in v.arions 
ways and through different agencies. It is quite generally supposed that salmon 
return to the streams in their fourth year, and that they run to the same waters in 
whi(;h they were hatched, but these tlieories are (juestionable. Fishermen state 
that every four years there is a big run of fish and citt^ one or two instances to 
prove it, but this will stand little investigation. If the four-year theory wer(^ 
correct, the progeny of the big runs would return fully matured four years from the 
time the parent fish entered the stream to spawn. The (ish that enter the streams 



10 



JiULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



(luring the suiiiiiicr months spawn late tliat summer or during the fall. In some 
instances the redflsh spawn until December, and other si)ecies later. In the cold waters 
of autumn it is at least four months, and usually longer, before the fish is evolved from 
the egg and has absorbed the egg sac. It is probably spring or early summer before 
it is a free swimmer and takes food of its own capture, and it is quite certain that 
nature has not endowed it sufficiently at this time to take care of itself in the open 
sea. So far as can be learned, it is a year from this time, or the following spring or 
summer — two years from the time of the arrival of the parent fish — before the young 
proceed to salt water, and they are then 4 or 5 inches long. 

It is no doubt true that many salmon less than a year old find their way to the 
sea, but they probably have been swe])t from the breeding-grounds by currents 
or other adverse conditions, and have not proceeded to the salt water by their own 
volition. 




The Dog Salmox ((hicdi-hi/iiLh,,.-, I,c(aj. 

At Klawak it was learned that in early spring there are two sets of salmon in the 
lake — one about 4 inches long and another about li inches long. After the ice leaves 
the lake and river the larger ones move downstream to the mouth, where they remain 
for some time and can be seen in very large numbers, all the species that run in the 
stream being represented. Mr. J. C. Callbreatli has made the same observation in 
his hatchery work in Alaska, and has also noticed the cannibalistic tendency of the 
older fish. He therefore places the output of dift'ereut years in separate lakes. 

It is probable that the young salmon in passing to the sea remain near the edge 
of the continental plateau until they mature, and it is also probable that all fish of 
the same species do not arrive at maturity at the same age; in other words, the fish 
from the same spawning do not all mature the same season. In nearly all the streams 
that have runs of red salmon, numbers of small but fully matured fish of the same 
species are found, and it is said these are all males. In the lake at Klawak were 
seen some of these small salmon, from l.J to 2 pounds in weight, that had spawned. 
Some were alive, but in the last stages, and others were dead on the beach — all 
red-colored, hook-jawed, and emaciated. At Chignik there are so many of these 
small fish that they are called by a different name — "Arctic salmon." Reference is 
elsewhere made to the very small mature redfish that run at Xecker Bay. These may 
all be young fish that matured early and before others of the same output, or they 
may represent a race of dwarfed redfish, such as are found in the lakes of Idaho and 
Washington. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 11 

In conversation with cannerynien it was found that those who appear to have paid 
some attention to the matter place the age of large, matured salmon much higher than 
the four-year theory warrants. Usually, when asked the question, the more intelli- 
gent state that, in their opinion, the flsh are from 8 to 10 years old, hut of course this 
is a matter of conjecture. 

The spawning-ground sought by salmon is a sandy and gravelly bottom in a ijool or 
eddy where the water is 2 to 3 feet deep, but this is not always attained. The redflsh 
is probably the most fastidious in its selection, and after the redfish is the coho; the 
dog salmon and humpback spawn anywhere. 

It is well known tliat the redrtsh enters only those streams that are lake outlets, 
audit is generally believed that it does not spawn in the lakes, but always in an entering 
stream. Elsewhere in this report it has been shown that this is not always the case. 
Usually the lakes are deep and havelittle shore shelf, so that the fish enter the inflowing 
streams where the proper depth and bottom is found; but when the lake is iiroperly 
conditioned, has a sandy or gravelly bottom, gradually shelving, the redflsh will spawn 
in it, though they undoubtedly jirefer the conditions usually presented by an inflowing 
stream. 





The ^'■TF.Ei.nv.AD {Salmo t/ai)diiiri). Adult. 

When the fish are ready to spawn they excavate a nest by plowing up the sand and 
gravel with the nose and sweeping it out with the tail. The nests are sometimes ?> 
feet in diameter and 12 to 18 inches in depth. The female then deposits the eggs, 
which are quickly covered with the milt of the male. The eggs usually fall and lodge 
between the gravel on the lower side of the nest and are covered by the same process 
as adopted in building the nest. The parent salmon remain near the nest and fight 
off all intruders as long as they can maintain their position, becoming more and more 
emaciated and finally dying. Mr. Miller, of Klinkwan, who has lived in Alaska for 
some twelve or fourteen years and has noticed their habits, states that the red salmon 
spawn within sis weeks to two months after they enter the streams, and he has 
observed them spawning until November, and occasionally even until December, 
under the ice. The eggs deposited late do not hatch out for three or four months, 
and early iu the spring the young with the sac could be seen by taking up a handful 
of gravel from the bottom. Upon being released they wriggle back and burrow in 
the gravel again. He states that the young fish do not become free swimmers until 
some time after they are hatched; they dodge around under stones and sticks, come to 
the surface and nibble at some passing object, and dart back again. This is usually iu 
the spring, and he states that they I'emain in the lake until the following spring and 



12 mMJ.RTlN OP 'I'lIK I'NiriCI) STATKS KlStt CoMMfSSION. 

that they then rctiirn to tlio, sen. This iiifomiatioii, lie says, he obtained fnuii ])er- 
sonal observation. 

So far as Iniown, observations have not been systematically made on the natural 
spawning habits of the salmon in Alaska, and only on lare occasions has anyone been 
met who had ever observed salmon spawning- tliere. The cannerymen are in the 
country for (ish and not for investigation or scientilic research. Very tew have ever 
even seen the lakes supplying the streams from which they obtain their su])ply. In 
the fall the canneries are closed and left in charge of the watchmen, and they, with 
the white stragglers who remain around, probably hibernate. At any rate, they thiidi 
no more of salmon until the next packing season commences. 

Keferenee has been made chiefly to the late-spawning fish. While it is probable 
that many of the fish remain in the fresh water for six weeks or two months before 
spawning, others are more advanced and spawn soon after their arrival. The manager 
of Yes Bay cannery states that he has seen young salmon witli the egg-sac attached 
as early as the micblle of September. Mr. ]>ell, who has been a permanent resident 
of Alaska for a number of years, and wlio has been superintendent of a cannery and 
now owns the saltery at Tolstoi (Thorne Bay) where he lives, says that in the late 
fall he has observed large numtiers of very young salmon in the lakes; that he has 
frequently watched the spawning tish, and that rarely are the male and female ready 
to spawn at the same time, and the one that is delayed will beat itself on the bowlders 
or gravel apparently to hasten the ripening. lie further states tliat in many instances 
they are unable to void tlie spawn, and both male and female die before their imtural 
functions are fnltilled, he having fre(iuently cut open the dead swollen fish on the 
shore anil found the eggs or milt in them. 

Mr. Gallbreath refers to this subject with a similar exiierience, and I have seen 
the same with dog salmon. 

Mr. Bell, in speaking of humpbacks, remarked that he had seen a number spawn 
in the same nest, others in brackish water, at high tide, and when the nests were 
uncovered at low water the sea birds consumed their eggs, and that he had observed 
well-filled nests destroyed and the eggs thrown out by other humpbacks that had 
selected the same place for their nests. 

At the head of the south arm of Tiganuk liay, Kadiak Island, is a stream having 
dog salmon and a few humpbacks, on which I spent a day, August 11 ; a description 
of it may give some idea of the appearance of these streams during the spawning- 
season. The following is quoted from tield notes : 

Left the ship at (> n. in. on a general rocoiinaissanco. Passed down 8onth Ann, which we found 
to be a straiglit, apparently clear body about 5 miles long and an average width of not ranch less than 
a mile. At the head of the arm is a flat, through which flows a small stream about 20 feet wide. It 
was low water, and we landed on tbe edge of the flat and followed the stream a few hundred yards, 
where it passed between two high rocky bluffs, probably a hundred yards apart. Inside this passage 
a large tidal basin opened, about li miles long by 1 mile wide, which at low water is a great nind 
and gravel flat with the stream flowing through it b.y several channels, and at high water is covered 
with 6 or 8 feet of w.ater. At the head of the basin the stream empties between grassy banks that 
are low and extended for some distance, with here and there a scrub growth. Over the grass plain 
bordering the river, the bear trails were as thick as the lines (m a checker-board, and in many places 
close to the w ater the gr.iss wiis beaten down and the bones and half-i-onsnmed fish plainly indicated 
the presence of bears. 

At the montli of the river we first encountered the asceinling salmon ; they were mostly of the clog 
species, all barred, though a few huTupbaeks were present. As we advauceil they increased in nuni- 



Sull, U S. F C. 1898. (To face page 12.) 




SPAWNING BEOS IN STREAM SKOWL ARM, KASAAN BAY 



TIIK SALMON AND SALMON KISIIElilKS OF ALASKA. 13 

beis until it seemed as though iu places one eouhl no longer advance through theui. It was simply full 
of dog salmon in all stages, from those iu but a short time from the sea to the spent and dying. There 
were thousands upon thousands of them and other Ihousands dead on the hanks or floating down with 
the current. They strugghil over ritlles only a few inches deep and when distiirbid dafhed about, 
frequently throwing themselves bodily on shore. We followed the stream about two miles and it 
seemed in places as though we were wading in salmon ; they would often strike one's leg with consid- 
erable force, swim between one's feet, and in walking wo at times stepped on them, and froqucutly 
touched them with the foot. But what a change had come over these fish from the time they (ir.st 
entered ! Those that were spent, and some that had not spawned, were iu all stages of dc-cay, 
repulsive-looking objects, all dying, some in their last struggles. The llesh of many was deeply gashed 
as though decaying, the fins frayed and torn, tie skin gonc^ in places showing dirty and sickly-looking 
yellow flesh, skin hanging in shreds from the head, jaws heavily hooked in the males, teeth prominent, 
body thin and emaciated. The water was polluted and had a bad smell which was intensified by the 
stench from the decaying salmon on the bo.icli. Those iu the last stages when turned over hail hardly 
the strength to right themselves. 1 had my trout gear with me and there were plenty of trout 
hanging around the salmon, the more vigonms of which, divining their jiurpose, would frequently dart 
at them, but the sight of the fish and the stream quelled my lishiug ardor and the gear was not put 
in service. 

We kicked a large number of salmon out on the banks and hooked others out with sticks, and 
e.-iamined them. My first surprise was that the males were largely iu exc<!Ss, and whatever the condi- 
tion, with few exceptions, even those nearest death had milt. Of the females, the greatest number 
were full of eggs, separated and ready to liow, not only those that were still vigorous, but includiug 
many in the last stages, fish that certainly no longer luul strength for ncst-building. These iish when 
kicked out would void some of their eggs, and when pressed along the belly would shoot their eggs 
in great jets. In a few instances we found dead fish on the banks that had spawn iu them. 1 did not 
understand these conditions then and do not now. My impression was that the salmon arrived on 
the spawning-ground in ripening condition, performed its natural functiou, declined, decayed, and 
died. But here were fish, and many of them not more than a few days, some indeed hours, from 
death, that were full of spawn. Tliey were on the spawning-ground, for the bottom of the stream was 
in holes and ridges, made so by the nests. 

On August 2.") 1 S|)eiit ii day i>ii a liuiii|ihaclc .stfeam in rriiicc W'illiairi Sound. 
The stream is a very small one, not more tliaii 15 feet wide, and did Tiot (;ariy nuieh 
water, thougli there were many deep pot holes. Tiiis stream, in pLw^es, seemed to be 
packed solidly with humpbacks, all struggling- to ascend. In places where tlie water 
Howed over riffles, not over an inch or two deep, they seemed to rise out ol' the water and 
would wriggle, moving rapidly, for a distance of 10 to 15 feet, until deeper water was 
readied. At the mouth of the stream I kicked out 40 or 50 Iish and examined them. 
The males were hook jawed and humped, but all were bright colored and vigorous fish ; 
yet upon pressure the milt Howed readily in the males and the eggs were separated iu 
the females, some of the eggs beitig voided iu landing on the banks; yet these fish were 
evidently just enteriug the stream. 

Near the head of the stream I was much interested in observing the spawning. 
A female was over a .so called nest, which was an excavation in the gravel, of appar- 
ently rounded form and (piite large — I should say nearly 4 feet in diameter and 18 inches 
deep. The female remained over the nest, but occasionally turned from it to drive 
off what seemed to be one of her own sex; the favorite male was near by, but he 
was more busily ein[)loyed in keeping at a distance a number of male intruders. This 
male every minute or two would rise to the surface, and half out of the wiiter woiihl 
flap sideways on the surface as if beating the water; at other times he would descend 
to the bottom and seem to chafe his belly on the gravel. A small pebble thrown in 
the water did not disturb them, but a larger stone thrown with a si)liish over the nest 
sent all scurrying away, the female darting back very warily after a few minutes and 



14 



bui,h;tin of the united states fish commission. 



occupying lier place over tlic uest, followed later by the male. At a second nest a 
female beld the position against all intruders, male or female; any fish approaching 
within 6 feet was attacked. 

Oannerymen and fishermen in Alaska all agree that hardly any two streams in 
the Territory carry exactly the same redfish or other species of salmon, but the redtish 
is the only one that receives much attention, the others being taken incidentally. 
It is said that there is a slight difference in general form, color, and texture which 
fishermen recognize, as well as a large difference in weight. (Jpou this hangs the 
idea persisted in by many fishermen, that salmon do return to their parent stream; 
and if the diflerences mentioned do exist, the theory based upon them must have great 
weight. I have never been able to detect the variations in form, etc., except the 
well-known changes which take place in each fish from the time it arrives from the 
ocean until death overtakes it on the spawning-grounds, but there seems to be a 
difference in the quality, fish from certain streams being considered better than others. 
For instance, the best redtish in Alaska are said to be the (Jhilkat redfish, in that they 
are more delicate in flavor and more oily. 




The Red-throated Trout (Sahno mykiss). Adult. 

There are undoubted and undisputed differences in average weight, and so well 
known is the weight of redtish that run in different streams that contracts are made 
and prices paid accordingly; for while the number of fish required to pack a case 
varies, it practically remains the same for each stream from year to year. 

As extremes of weight, it may be mentitnied that Quadra stream carries 8-pound 
redfish, while Necker stream (about 35 miles south of Sitka, on Baranof Island) has 
redfish averaging about 2i pounds in weight. These are not accidental runs, but 
peo))le -who have fished these streams for years assert that each year these streams 
have the same fish with little or no variation. It is probable that the fish vary more 
in the same stream than is stated. At Karluk the early run usually consists of fish 
from 14 to 15 and even as high as 17 to the case, but as the season advances they 
come down to 12. 

At all places visited by the Albatross inquiries were made as to whether spent 
salmon bad ever been seen returning to the sea, and the usual reply was that, 
with the exception of king salmon and steelheads, they all died at the headwaters 
after spawning. Some of the cannery superintendents whose opinions were obtained 
had fished in Alaska twelve to fifteen years; others were men interested in the fish- 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 15 

eries who had lived pennaneutly in Alaska for tea or more years. In one instance a 
cannerymau had set nets to take returning spent salmon, but never caught a single 
fish. At the office of the Alaska Packers' Association, in the jiresence of six or eight 
cannery superintendents, the same question was propounded, when one of them, from a 
Bering Sea cannery, said he had seen spent salmon returiung to the sea. Upon closer 
inquiry, however, it was learned that the current at tlds locality was very strong and 
had swept the weakened and emaciated fish down, but that they were heading 
upstream. I have personally seen both humpback and dog salmon swept downstream 
by the current to Siilt water, but they died, nevertheless. I have )io doubt that all 
species of salmon, except some king salmon and steelhead trout, die after spawning, 
and I believe that if directly after spawning they were transferred to salt water they 
would also die. 

One of the greatest sources of destruction to the rediish, and, in fact, to all salmon, 
are the trout, both the Dolly Varden (Salrclinus malmu) and the cut-throat {Salmo 
mykiss). Early iu the spring, or shortly before the redflsh commence to run, the Dolly 




The Dolly Vauden Trout (iSalrclinns malma). 

Varden comes to the mouth of a stream and awaits the salmon, and abt)ut the same 
time the cut-throat comes down the stream to brackish water to welcome the new arri- 
vals; together these two follow the salmon to the spawning-beds. The Dolly Yarden 
is usually found wherever the salmon is, of whatever species; the cut-throat more 
rarely. On the spawning-grounds, when the ripe fish deposit their eggs, the trout 
consume them in immense numbers. The Dolly Varden has been seen to take the 
salmon eggs as they were dropped. The salmon know these egg destroyers and will 
frequently dart at the trout, but the latter are quicker in their movements and get 
away without injury. 

The next great destroyer of the redflsh eggs is the humpback salmon. When these 
fish have access to the redflsh spawning-grounds, they will spawn over the redflsh 
nests. The humpback arrives later than the redflsh, and in building its nest the red- 
flsh eggs are flung about, disturbed, and destroyed. Usually humpbacks are present 
in nearly all streams, though they can not ascend some that are open to redflsh, 
because the latter are more vigorous and can surmount obstacles that tlie former can 
not. In such cases the humpback spawns in the lower courses of the stream in pools 
and eddies — in fact, often iu brackish water and on banks of sand and gravel that are 
exposed at low water, where the eggs are of course lost. 



huuli:tii\ i)F the united states fish commission. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF SALMON CANNERIES IN ALASKA 

As it will be uecessiiry in tbis report to refer fre(iiieiitly to the coiiiiiiercial orjiaiii- 
zatious doing a salmou-iiackinj,'- business in Alaska, it may not be out of jtlace here 
to jjive a sbort account of the growtli of this industry, in order that the references 
may be i)roi)erly understood, although an account of each cannery will be hereafter 
given. 

The first canneries in Alaska were at Klawak and Old Sitka, both built in the 
spring of 187S. At the former place the North Pacific Trading and Packing (Com- 
pany erected their plant, made a pack that year, and have done so every year since. 
At the latter place the Gutting Packing Company commenced operations, and, after 
making two packs (1878 and 187!t) the cannery was closed. In 1882 its available 
machinery was moved to Cook Inlet l)y the Alaska Packing Company of California., 
and there utilized in a cannery built that year at Kussilof, now known as the Arctic 
Fishing Company. 




Transport ship at Chignik. 

No additions were nuide to the Alaska canneries until 1882, when the cannery 
just mentioned was built and the first cannery on the Karluk Eiver appeared, built 
and oi)eratcd by Smith & Ilirsch, and now kiiown as the i)lant of the Karluk Packing 
Company. 

The year 1883 saw three additions — Pyramid Harbor Packing Comjiaiiy, Chilkat 
Packing Company, aiul Cape Fox Packing Company, all in southeast Alaska. In 
1884 the first cannery in Bering Sea, the Arctic Packing Company, on the Nushagak 
River, commenced operations, followed in 188G by the Bristol Bay Canning Company 
and the Alaska Packing Company, both at Nushagak. In the year 1887 one more 
cannery was added to the list, that of the Aberdeen Packing Company, on the Stikine 
River, in southeast Alaska. During the same year the plant of the Cape Fox Packing 
Company was moved to Tongass Narrows and operated under the name of the 
Tongass Packing Com])any. 



Bull U. S F. C. 1898. (To face page 16.) 




CANNERY AT BOCA DE QUADRA. 




SALMON SALTERY ON THORNE BAY. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHEIIIKS OF ALASKA. 17 

lu 188S tbe following additional canneries were in operation: Alaslca Salmon 
Packing and Fur Company, at Loring, sontbeast Alaska; Cape Lees Packing Comi)any, 
at Burrouglis Bay, southeast Alaska; Northern Packing Company, at Keuai, Cook 
Inlet; Kodiak Packing Company and Aleutian Islands Fishing and Mining Company, 
both at Karluk, Kadiak Island; Arctic Packing Company, at Larsen Ray, Kadiak 
Island, and the Nusliagak Packing Company, on the Nushagak IJiver, Bering Sea. 

The increase of canneries in ISSS and their large output called the attention of 
the public to the Alaska salmon fisheries, and in 1881) there was a further increase of 
canneries, as follows: 

Southeast Alashi: Boston Fishing and Trading Company, Yes (McDonald) Bay; 
Baranoff Paclcing Company, at the lledoubt, near Sitka; Astoria and Alaska Packing 
Company, Freshwater Bay ; Bartlett Bay Packing Company, Bartlett Bay, and Chilkat 
Canning Company, Chilkat Village. 

Prince Willium /Sound and Copper Rir<f: Peninsula Trading and Fishing Company, 
Little Kayak Island; Central Alaska Company, Little Kayak Island; Pacific Packing- 
Company, Eyak, Copper liiver, and the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, Eyak, 
Cojjper River. 

Kadiak and Chignik: Hume Packing Company, Karluk; Alaska Improvement 
Company, Karluk: Arctic Packing Company, Alitak Bay; Kodiak Packing Company, 
Alitak Bay; Royal Packing Company, Afognalc Island; Russian-American Packing- 
Company, Al'ognak Island; Chiguik Bay Company, Chignik Bay; Shumagin Packing 
Company, Chignik Bay; Chignik Bay Packing Company, Chiguik Bay; Western 
Alaska Company, O/.ernoi, Alaska Peninsula; Thin Point Packing Company, Thin 
Point, Alaska Peninsula. 

The cannery of the Alaska Improvement Company, at Karluk, was built and 
ready for operation in 1888, but the loss of the Julia Ford, the cannery ship, with all 
the season's outfit on board, kept the cannery closed, and the first pack was therefore 
made in 1880. 

In 1888 there were 17 canneries in operation in Alaska with iiii outi)ut of 112,115 
cases, and in 1889 there were 37 canneries with an output of 714,1'J(J cases. Two more 
canneries were added to the list in 1890 — tJeorge W. Hume, at Kussilof, Cook Inlet, 
and the cannery of the Metlakahtla Industrial Company, in southeast Alaska. In 
1S91 only one new cannery, that of the Bering Sea Packing Company, at Ugashik, 
Bering Sea, was added, while several operated the year previous were closed, and in 
a few other cases there was a consolidation of interests. In 1892 and 1893 there was 
a further consolidation of cannery interests, and in the latter year one additional 
cannery was operated, that of the Uume Canning and Trading Company, in Tanglefoot 
Bay, near Karluk. There were no new canneries built in 1894, but in 1895 two more 
were in operation at Xaknek, in Bering Sea, the Arctic Packing Company and the 
Xaknek I'acking Company. 

In 189G the following new companies were in operation: 

Southeast Alaska: (Juadra I'acking Company, in Mink Arm, Boca de Quadra; 
Pacific Steam Whaling Company, Hunter Bay. 

Kadiak Island: Uganuk Fishing Station, Uganuk Bay. 

Alaska Peninsula: Hume Brothers & Hume, Chignik Bay: Pacific Steam Whaling 
Company, Chignik Bay. 

Bering Sea: Point Roberts I'acking Company, at Koggiung, Kvichak River; 
Ugashik Fishing Station, Ugashik River. 

F. c. IS. isas— 2 



18 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



In 1897 two more cauneries were added — Hume lirothers & Hume and the Pacific 
Steam Whalinj.'- Company, both at Uyak Bay, ivadiak Ishiiid. 

The foregoing account gives briefly the dates of the building of the canneries iu 
Alaska. After 1891 several of the canneries were consolidated, a few were burnt, 
some were dismantled, and the available machinery utilized iu the construction of 
plants in more favorable localities, and iu some instances the sites were entirely 
abandoned. The large increase in canneries in 1888 more than doubled the pack for 
that .year over that of 1887, and the addition of twenty more canneries in 1889 
increased the pack for that year and for the two years following to nearly double the 
quantity packed in 1888. The market became glutted, and in order to reduce the 
output a consolidation of interests followed. ' This was not very difficult, as a few 
individuals controlled a large number of the canneries. One firm in San Francisco 
alone controlled six canneries, with an output in 1889 of ir),5,118 cases; others con- 
trolled several. 





llttSS 



lifliiSSir^T'^ li'^ 



^i^ 



Cannery at Chilkat. 



In 1890 the three canneries at Chignik combined under an operating agreement 
known as the Chignik Bay Combination, under which the plant of the Chignik Bay 
Company was operated, the three canneries sharing the expense and dividing the 
output equally. This arrangement remained in force during the seasons of 1890 and 
1891. Its evident success iu 1890 probably led to the local combinations on Kaduik 
Island in 1891, and then to the association which now exists. 

The large packs during this i)eriod and the glutted market caused the cannery 
interests to devise some scheme to meet the conditions. The combination at Chignik 
in 1890 permitted the pack to be made there at a lower rate and, as previously stated, 
it was continued in 1891. The same year (1891) the canneries at Karluk, Uyak, and 
Afognak entered a combination under the name of the Karluk River Fisheries, under 
which it was agreed that each cannery should have a quota of fish from the several 



THE SAI>MON AXD SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



19 



localities, based upon tbe averajne packs of each cauneiy in 1889 and 1890. The 
estimated pack for tbe canneries interested was jilaced at 250,000 cases, and upon this 
estimate tbe apportionment of tbe work at each cannery was made. Under this 
agreement four of the eight canneries were closed, their quota being packed in tbe 
other four canneries as follows, viz, that of the Eoyal at the Kailuk, of tbe Arctic at 
the Kodiak, of tbe Aleutian Islands at the Hume, and of the I! ussian- American at 
the Alaska Improvement. 

In tbe summer of 1891 the Kodiak Packing Company* and the Arctic Packing 
Company, both at Alitak Bay, also bad a mutual agreement under which only one 
cannery, the Arctic, was operated, the quota of fish of the Kodiak being packed 
in the Arctic cannerj'. By these combinatlous the full pack of tiie Karluk district 
was made in half tbe number of canneries and tbe expense of packing very consider- 
ably reduced. 




Fish scow at dock, Chignik. 

In September, 1891, the Alaska Packers' Association was formed to dispose of the 
unsold salmon of that season's pack (some 363,000 cases), and Ave trustees were 
appointed to manage the business. This association was not incorporated, and expired 
after the salmon were sold. 

The successful operation of these arrangements led, in 1892, to an arrangement in 
which nearly all (thirty one) of tbe canneries joined, entering under the name of the 
Alaska Packing (not Packers') Association, for tbe purpose of leasing and operating 
and therefore controlling tbe canneries and reducing tbe Alaska pack for that year, 
it being found too great for the market's demands. All the canneries in operating 
condition in 1892 were members of this association except tbe following, viz : Met- 

* Though the present approved spelling of the name of this island is Kadiak, the company retains 
the former spelling Kodiak. 



20 



liULLETlN OF THE UNITKlJ STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



lakalitla liidiistiial Oouipauy, at INIetlakalitla; Boston Fisliiugaiid Trading Coinpany, 
at Yes Bay; Baranotf Packiuy Company, at Kedfisb Bay; Ohilkat Canning Company, 
at Pyramid Uarbor; Alaska Improvement Company, at Karlnk, and the Beriug Sea 
Packing Company, at Ugasliik. 

TLe association was regularly incorporated on January 13, 1892, and shares were 
distributed on the basis of one for each 2,000 cases packed in 1891, and the profits 
were divided equally on all shares regardless of the amount of i)roUts derived at the 
ditt'ercnt points. Of the 31 canneries, 9 were operated by the association, while the 
others were closed, the Alaska pack being reduced one-half. 




Steiu-wLcul steamer used iu tuwing lisllill^ lioats aud setting uets, C'liij^uik. 

Tiie year 1893 Ibiiiid the Alaska I'ackers' Association organized and incorporated 
(Febriuiry 9). This association was formed from the canneries that had Joined the 
Alaska Packing Association of 1892, except the Pacitic Steam Whaling Comi)any, 
at Prince William Sound, aud the Peninsula Trading aud Fishing Company, tlie 
latter's cannery having been moved from Little Kayak Island to the Copper River 
Delta iu 1891 . 

The agreement of 1893 was similar to that of 1892, except that the amount of 
profit was taken into consideratiou, iu addition to the probable average quantity which 
could be packed at the different jioints. This was subject to adjustment for each 
district and no arbitrary rule was followed. Each cannery entering the association 
was obliged to purchase an additional amount of stock equaling two thirds of the 
number of shares received by it for its plant; that is, a company which received 1,500 
shares for its plant was required to purchase 1,000 shares additional. The money 
received from this sale of extra stock was used as working capital. No shares were 
sold to the general public, the owners of canneries subscribing for the full amount. 



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THE SALMON AND SALMON FlSHIiKIES OF ALASKA. 21 

The Alaskii Packers' Association is the largest canning operator in Alaska. Of 
the 29 canneries operatetl in 1S97, 17 belonged to this association, with an outpnt of 
(!G9,494; cases, or nearly 74 per cent of the total pack, while the other I'J canneries 
packed 239,584 cases, or 2G percent. In addition to the 17 operating canneries the 
association had as reserves S other establislinients, besides several in a dismantled 
condition which have not, however, been abandoned. 

The Pacific Steam Whaling Company has increased the number of its canneries 
daring the past two years. In 1S.S9 the company bnilt and operated a cannery at 
Eyak, Prince Wdliani Sound; in 1893 it controlled the plant of the Peninsula Trading 
and Fishing Company in the Copper liiver Delta. In 189G it bnilt and operated a 
cannery at Hunter Bay, in southeast Alaska, and another at Chignik P>ay, Alaska 
Peninsula. In 1897 a cannery was built and oi)erated in Uyak I?ay, Kadiak Island, 
and cannery buildings were erected at Kenai, Cook Inlet. ]\Iachiiiery will probably 
be installed in the latter ready for operation in 189S.* 

SALTING SALMON. 

Redfish are salted oidy in localities like Bristol Bay, where a large run sometimes 
taxes the cannery facilities, when the surplus is salted, and at Egagak (Boring Sea) 
and Tyonek (Cook Inlet), where the run is not large enough to maintain a cannery. 
A few king salmon are salted for private use at canneries where stragglers are taken 
in the general catcii, and at i)la.r(\s like Killisnoo, where a little salting is done on 
special orders. 

The commercial salting outside of Bering Sea consists chiefly in whole cohoes 
and hnnipback bellies. In the latter the number varies according to the cutting. 
One saltery (Ketchikan) delivered humpback bellies under contract to a cannery at 
83.2.5 per half barrel, and tried to cut KiO bellies to that measure. This product 
should reach retailers on tlie Pacific coast at, say, $5, and if sold at 5 cents per belly 
would bring $8, making a good profit for the venture and a cheap fish for the 
consumer. 

It is very difficult to obtain accurate saltery statistics. The low price of salt 
salmon, and the terms ottered by the canneries in the purchase of fresh fish, have 
induced the men formerly engaged in salting to sell their fish fresh, the cannery 
tender calling for them, and to salt only those that are not called for in time, or the 
surplus in the event of a large run. Siuall schooners frequently move from one stream 
to another when the run is small and salt a few fish on board. It is doubtful if there 
are more than three or four salteries in Alaska, outside of Bering Sea, that are con- 
ducted purely as such, and these are in remote places where the catch is uncertain or 
it is inconvenient for the cannery steamer to call; the others are operated oidy to 
make use of the fish not sold fresh. 

On account of tlie variation in the weight of the same species it is rather difficult 
to give even an approximate estimate of the number of live fish necessary to make 
a barrel of salt salmon, but the following may give a general idea of the subject: 
A barrel of salt fish contains 200 pounds of fish washed from the salting tub; 1 
barrel of redfish has from 40 to 52 fish; cohoes from 25 to 35; humpbacks, from 70 
to 80; king salmon, from 10 to 14. A barrel of humpback bellies represents from 300 
to 320 fish. 

'The machinery was installed and the plant opor.'itod in 1898. 



22 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



FISHERY AND CANNERY METHODS. 
THE FISHERIES. 

The metbods employed in taking fish at the fisheries are given in detail in the 
descriptions of the canneries and streams, and will only be briefly referred to here. 
Each locality has its own methods, obtained by experience and believed to be the best. 
In general it may be said that in localities where the water is discolored gill nets are 
used, and if the topographical conditions are favorable traps are added; where the 
water is clear, drag seines give the best results. In southeast Alaska drag seines are 
used exclusively except at Chilkat and Wrangell. Drifting gill nets are used in 
Chilkat Inlet and at Taku by the cannery fishermen, while the Indians use small nets 
and gaffs in Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers, as described under other headings. The 
cannery at Wrangell uses gill nets in the fisheries at the mouth of the Stikine, but all 
fish obtained for this cannery in other localities are taken in drag seines. Spasmodic 
attempts have been made to work traps in southeast Alaska, but the results have not 
warranted the expense. Gill nets and purs(i seines have been tried in the lower 
section, but with indifferent success. 

The canneries in Prince William Sound fish the Copper River delta with drifting 
gill nets, and the Prince William Sound streams with drag seines. In Cook Inlet the 
fishing is done with drifting gill nets, and by traps at prominent points along the 
shore leading to the rivers, and in the mouths of the rivers. 

On Kadiak Island drag seines are used — a description of which will be found in 
the report — though gill nets have been experimented with, and for several years huge 
floating traps have been tried at Uganuk. The fishery at Chignik is carrried on prin- 
cipally with traps, but drag seines are also used and formerly gill nets, but these are 
uot much in vogue now. In Bering Sea the fish are taken in gill nets and traps. 

Outside of southeast Alaska the fishing is carried on entirely by the canneries; 
that is, when the cannery ships proceed to their stations in early spring they carry 
fishermen with whom contracts have been made for the season. Occasionally fresh 
fish are bought from the natives; but there are few natives, and fewer still who care 
to exert them.selves beyond taking fish for their own wants, so that the number of 
fish thus furnished is extremely small, and the canneries can uot depend upon this 
source of supply. 

In southeast Alaska, while each cannery has fishermen of its own, a large part of 
the supply comes by purchase from ijative and white fishermen. These fisheries are 
conducted in various ways. A salteiy may have been established by a white man 
near some stream or streams, and a certain right to the fishery is recognized. A 
cannery makes a contract with him to take all his catch at a certain rate, tiie steamer 
calling for the fish at fixed intervals. He employs his own men, boats, gear, etc. Or 
a cannery may supply natives, who claim to have rights in a stream, with nets and 
boats on condition that they sell all their catch to the cannery at certain fixed rates. 
A third method is for a cannery to send its own fishermen into a locality to do the 
fishing. 

Many disputes arise concerning the fisheries. A native, whose ancestors have 
lived on a certain stream for many generations, and whose rights are resijected by 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



23 



other natives, supplies a certain cannery witli his catch, as possibly he has l»een 
doing for years. A rival cannery tells the native that he must sell his catch to it, 
and that otherwise their men will fish the native's stream. The result is overfishing, 
complaints, bad feeling, blows, and threats of bloodshed. So far as can be learned, 
there are now no legal rights or title to any fishing-grounds in Alaska except what 
force or strategy furnish. 

LABOR AT THE CANNERIES. 

The cannery fishermen are nearly all foreigners, the majority being " north 
countrymen,'' or, as they are termed, "hardheads," though there are some fishing gangs 
comprised of what are called " dagoes," consisting of Italians, Greeks, and the like. 
When these two classes form diflerent fishing gangs for the same cannery, the north- 
country crew is referred to as the " white crew." 




Cuttiug machine. 

With the exception of Metlakahtia and Klawak, the packing at all canneries is 
done entirely by Chinese, and it is very satisfactory labor. The canneries make a 
contract with the Ghine.se controlling the labor at a stipulated amount per case, 
guaranteeing a certain pack. If the guaranteed pack is not made, they are paid as 
though it had been ; if the pack is overrun, they are paid for the extras. They are 
conveyed to and from the cannery in the ships, are given a bunk-house where they all 
live, are provided with water, fuel, and salt, and are paid collectively, according to 
contract, from 40 to 46 cents a case, depending upon the location of the cannery and 
the facilities for packing. The Chinese make all the cans, receive the fish on the 
dock, where they are tossed into bins from the boats, and do all the labor until the 



24 



lUILLF/riN OK THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



product is ready for sbijjmeiit; in other words, they receive the fresh lish at one can- 
nery door and phice them at the other in tin cans, boxed, ready for shipment. They 
liave tlicir own bosses, are ready to work at any and all hours, and apply themselves 
strictly to the work for which they are i)aid. 

At Ivlawak in the early days Indians were i)aid $1 per day. Demands for higher 
wages resulted in a gradual increase until $1.50 per day was reached, while as the 
Indians became more expert they grew lazier and constantly clamored for increased 
wages. As the point had been reached where the prices paid for the woik done made 
the pack too expensive to warrant a furtiier increase, the manager decided to pay l)y 
piecework. This was rather dilliciilt to arrange, but was eventually accomplislied. 
It was then found that each one performed about twice the amount that he had ever 
done by day's work. 




Under the piece-work system the Indian is still dissatisfied. During the time of 
our visit the labelers struck for higher rates; 25 cents was paid for 12 cases; they 
demanded 25 cents for 10 cases and got it. It is said that it now costs the cannery 
(!0 cents a case to make the pack; one half is paid in coin and tlie other half in store 
checks; but, deducting the fixed store profits, it still costs the cannery 51 cents a 
case. Chinese can be employed to make a hand pack for about -15 cents per case. 

At Klawak native women (klootchmeii) are employed as labelers, fillers, cappers, 
and washers; boys as carriers and to assist at the gang-knives; and men in all other 
capacities. The least amount earned under the schedule is $1.50 per day for women, 
.and from that amount to $2, and one woman has made as high as $4 a day as a labeler; 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



25 



butcliers have made as high as $5.00 a day. The work is not steady, but for the 
season the native women make from $S0 to $100, and the better class of men $200. 
Fishermen are paid $2 a day, without board, and laborers $1..")0 per day, for the 
time employed. 

The complaint is made everywhere that Indian labor — tliat is, the labor of the 
men — is uncertain. After making sufiQcient wages to supply their personal wants and 
getting a few dollars ahead, the desire for hunting or lishing seizes them and they 
are apt to leave when they are most wanted. To provide against this contingency, 
a contract is made with the fishermen, upon which they are paid $1.50 down for every 
day's work, and the remainder is held until the end of the season; it is then paid if 
tliey remain, but forfeited if they leave without permission. 




roiUMiig miu'hine 



The Indians are doubtless improvident, knowing that nature has provided for 
them without much labor. Their frequent boast is that white men and Chinese must 
work to get something to eat, while the waters and the forests furnish the Indians 
with all they want. A veiy small amount of money will supply them with t\n' few 
necessaries which money alone will purchase. 

In the spring of the year, when the cannery is opened, the Indian has spent his 
money and consumed his supplies. His wants are many, and he is willing to do any 
work; after these wants are satisfied he rel.ajjses, becomes lazy, and demands more 
wages. The Indians fancy the cannery is getting $0 and $7 a case for salmon, and 
that they are not getting what is due them. The manager at Klawak said that year 
after year he had acceded to their demands, but that now they had passed beyond 
the limit. The Indian is perfectly capable and can probably do the work as well as 
the Chinese if he could only be made to understand the exact conditions. 



26 



iSULLKTIN OF THE UNITED STA.TES FISH COMMISSION. 



THE CANNINCl PROCESSES. 

When the salmou collected from the various streams by the cannery steamers are 
brought to the fish wharf, they are transferred to the fish bins by men armed with 
pews (single fined forks). These men stand knee deep in fish on the steamer or scow, 
impale one or two lish at a time, and by a rapid movement toss them to the top of 
the wharf, where others, also using pews, toss them into bins. The men bei'orae very 
expert in the u.se of these implements, and a constant stream of fish seems to flow 
from the steamer or scow to the wharf and thence to the bins. Elevators are used 
in some canneries, l>ut they are not common in Alaska. 




Soldering inachiue. 

It is claimed that fish should be twenty- four hours out of the water before packing, 
so as to allow them to shrink, as when packed jjerfectly fresh so much juice is formed 
that in "blowing," after cooking, light weights are produced. In the fish-house and 
near the bins are arranged the butchers' tables, where the fish are cleaned. A stream 
of water is kept playing over the fish in the bins to remove the dirt and slime that 
collect on them, and they are then transferred to the tables, where the "butcher," 
after removing the head, seizes the fish by the tail, grasping it at the caudal peduncle, 
and with a few rapid strokes removes the fins, with one slash opens the fish along tlie 
ventral line, and by another removes the viscera. The fish is then transferred to a 
tank of water, where it is washed and scraped and the tail removed. In a well-regulated 
cannery it is passed to another tank of water, where it receives a second washing, 
scraping, and final brushing with a whisk-like broom. Being then thoroughly clean, 
the fish is transferred to large bins on either side of the cutting machine. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



27 



There is great variation in diflfereiit canneries in all tlie various processes, but 
one principle in cutting is kept in view by all; that is, to cut the fish transversely in 
sections the exact length of the can. The usual method is to have a large wooden, 
cylindrical carrier, with ledges or rests on the outside the length of the carrier, wide 
enough to hold the flsh, and slit in cross section through the ledges and outer casing 
to receive the gang knives. The gang-knives are circular, fixed on an axle at the 
proper distances apart, and revolve at the highest point reached by the carrier and 
independently of the latter. The carrier and gang-knives are set in motion, each 
revolving on its own shaft. As a rest on the carrier comes to a horizontal position, 
men stationed at the fish bins lay a fish on each ledge as it passes. Thence it is con- 
veyed to the revolving gang-knives, and, after being divided, passes through and on 
the downward course the severed fish slides oft the rest upon the filling table. 




The cutting carriers of the larger canneries are usually elliptical. This form gives 
a larger carrying capacity and transfers the divided fish to a higher point, from which 
the filling is more readily done. In some of the smaller canneries the gang-knives 
are worked by hand. In this case the knives are not circular, but elongated or semi- 
circular in shape, tapering at the outer ends. They are mounted on an axle having a 
large iron lever at one end, and when this lever is raised the ends of the gang-knives 
are thrown up and back. The fish is then placed in position under them and the lever 
pulled forward, when the knives, with a scimiter like movement, divide the fish. 

Most canneries use filling machines, but as these machines are covered by a 
patent owned by one of the large packing organizations they are difficult to obtain. 
One filling machine will fill 800 cases per day, and the larger canneries have from two 



28 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



to three, aud, exceptionally, four filling machines. At some of the smaller canneries 
filling is done by hand. These are usually establishments that have a capacity of 
from 400 to 600 cases per day. The machines are only adapted to wliat is known to 
the trade as "tails"— that is, the ordinary high Ipound can. All fancy cans, such as 
"tlats," elliptical, half pound, etc., are filled by hand. 

The filling machine consists of a receiving platform, on whicii the empty cans are 
fed, each one reaching a distinct position in its turn. One man at the fdling table 
overhead feeds the divided fish into a hopper, from which it is conveyed to the can 
underneath, and by a gentle pressure of a piston is pressed into the can, when a 
movement of the machine conveys the filled can to a table and an empty can into 
position to be filled. The movement is so rapid that a continuous stream of filled cans 




Retorts and test kettles. 

is poured on the table. Here the filling is inspected, and, if for export, the cans are 
carefully weighed, so that there may be no short weight. If they are not quite full a 
small quantity of fish is added, a supply of small bits being kept at hand for this purpose. 
The can is now ready for the top, which in some canneries is put on by hand, but 
inmost cases by a machine. The cans are placed in line and conveyed by a belt to a 
machine, the tops being fed in through a separate aperture. As the cans emerge with 
tiie tops on, a crimping attachment presses the edge firmly around the body, and as it 
is still carried by a belt, it is turned by the movement of the belt on its side and rolls 
down a trough to the soldering machine. Here an endless revolving chain passes over 
the can near the top and rolls its edge into the molten solder. As it emerges from 
the soldering machine it rolls down a trough and under several jets of water to cool, 



THE SALMON AND i^ALMON KISIIKKIES OF ALASKA. 



29 



and as it comes from the trouyli it is jjlaced on a table where Chinese seal by hand 
the central vent, which was left open in the capping process and in the soldering 
machine, where it becomes quite hot, to let the air escape. 

After the central vent is closed the cans are placed vertically in single layers in 
large openwork trays made of heavy strap iron and holding two cases. The lilled 
trays are now lifted by tackles and iron tongs and lowered into a square wooden tank 
tilled with water heated by steam. This is the tirst test for leaks. The experienced 
eye of the Chinese tester at once detects a faulty can by the escape of air, and the can 
is removed with a pair of tongs and placed aside, where one or more solderers remedy 
the defects. After removal from the hot- water test the trays are placed one on top of 
another on cars, and are carried by a railway into the retorts for the first cooking. 




Cooliug a day's puck. 

The cooking is all done by steam in a part of the cannery called the "bath-room." 
In some canneries the retorts for tirst cooking are made of heavy plank, well bolted to 
resist the steam pressure, but in most places they are made of iron or mild steel plate. 
In the early days the cooking process was a grave secret and none but those interested 
in the cannery were intrusted with it. 

The time of cooking differs somewhat in difterent canneries, according to the ideas 
and experience of the superintendent. It is desired to not only cook the flsli, but the 
bones must be cooked so they will crumble between the lingers, as if this is not done 
the contents may spoil. In some establishments the canned fish is (!0 minutes in each 
retort, in others 50 minutes in the first and from 70 to 80 minutes in the second. 

The trays with the hot, steaming cans, bulged out at the ends by the steam within, 
are then placed on tables where the bathroom men test the cans by the process known 
as " blowing '' or " venting." These men, armed with small wooden mallets, having 
on the broad face an awl like point, tap rai)idly the top of one can after another, 



30 



RULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



making a small perforation in each. A fountain like jet at once appears, cansed by 
the steam escaping, and carrying with it some of tlie li(iuor. Tlie veiits, after blowing, 
are immediately soldered and the tiays run into the second retort for final cooking. 
The reason for the two separate cooking operations is that if the cans are kept in the 
first retort a sufficient length of time to complete the cooking, the steam generated 
would be so great in the cans that they would be ruined. 

At one cannery inspected, where it seemed that more attention was given to exact 
details of cooking than in some others, there was on the top of the retort a thermometer, 
connected with the interior, and a separate steam-gauge. The cans to be cooked were 
placed in the retort, the doors securely clamped, and the steam turned in. The steam 
gauge was carefully noticed until it showed G pounds pressure, where it was main- 
tained, by regulating the stop valve, until the thermometer registered 220° F. The 




Lacquer room. 

temperature was kept at this point for thirty minutes, when the retorts were opened 
and the cans removed. 

The second cooking at this cannery is as follows: After the cans are placed and 
the doors secured, steam is adnutted until the independent gauge shows a pressure of 
12 pounds. It is then maintained at that pressure until the thermometer registers 
240°, when the temperature is regulated to 240'= for 45 minutes when cooking redtish, 
or 60 minutes when cooking cohoes. The latter fish are (juite large at this cannery, 
and presumably the longer period is given so that the large bones may be thoroughly 
cooked. In both cases of cooking, after the desired temperature is reached the 
pressure falls, while the temperature is held at the proper point. 

After the cans are taken from the second retort the grease and dirt on them are 
removed by a lye bath, the lye is next removed by a fresh water bath, and the cans 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FLSHERIES OF ALASKA. 31 

are ready for the cooling room. After cooliug they are lacquered by placing them on 
a tray in an inclined position, which is lowered into the lacquer contained iu a rectan- 
gular wooden tank, lifted, drained, and removed. W hen the lacquer is dry the cans are 
labeled and cased. 

After the second cooking they are twice tapped for leaks. Certain Chinese are 
very expert at this test. With a tenpenny nail they i)ass rapidly over the cans, 
striking the top of each, and Judge by the sound whether there are any defects. 

During tlie process of canning imperfect cans are found by inspection and testing, 
and if repaired before the first cooking and immediately processed they are naturally 
in the same condition as if there had been no defects. If tiie leaks are discovered 
after cooking and are repaired at once and the contents recooked, they are still very 
good, the only difficulty being that by blowing them a second time they lose weight. 
The above goods usually go in with the regular pack of their kind and are not classed 
as regular "do-overs." 

"When a cannery is running to its full capacity defective cans can not be repaired 
and recooked at once, and are set aside sometimes for days before they are recooked, 
the result being that decomposition follows, the same as with any other meat that is 
exposed to the air, and the fish becomes unfit for food. When recooked the fish is 
mushy, and the blowing makes the cans very light, which is frequently corrected by 
adding salt water. This, the "do-over," is the lowest grade of goods, and is fit only 
for chicken food. Such cans are frequently sold to brokers without labels, or else 
labeled with the name of some fictitious cannery, and find their way into country, 
lumber, mining, or negro districts, or are sent to the South Seas and semibarbarous 
localities. Defective cans run from lA to lii per cent of the output, and those intended 
to go with the regular pack are usually vented by opening one of the first vents, or 
the seam at the top, so that additional vent marks may not lead to suspecting the 
goods. 

WEIGHT OF FISH. 

Cannery jjeople, in referring to the weight of salmon, always speak of so many to 
the case. They never weigh the fish, but estimate them by the case, and sometimes 
make fishing contracts in that manner. This naturally involves another subject: 
How many live fish are required to make a case of 48 one-pound cans? Much 
depends upon how the fish are cut. The largest company doing business in Alaska 
cuts off a considerable portion of the tail and the head well back as waste. Another 
cannery saves these end pieces and packs them under special labels. A liberal esti- 
mate of the loss in cleaning and preparing the fish for the cans is one-third, which 
would be about 75 pounds of live fish to a case, or 72 pounds if each can contained 
exactly 1 pound ; but as the cream of the pack goes to foreign markets, the cans are 
always slightly overweight, about an ounce, to prevent a rebate on short weights. 
My own observation and inquiry among canners who seemed to have given the subject 
some attention lead me to believe that 6.") to G8 pounds of live fish will make a liberal 
case, depending somewhat on the size of the fish. Fish that run 10 to 12 to the case can 
be gauged very closely on a Go-pound basis, but for smaller fish this must be increased. 

The waste of redfish and cohoes at the canneries is not large, but with humpbacks 
many are culled out, either on account of being very small or iu bad condition. This 
species, late in the season, when the hump commences to be marked, becomes watery, 
and it is then difficult to properly fill a can, as much of the weight is iu liquor, which 



32 liULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

blows oH' in testiug, caiisinjf light weight. Under average eunilitioiis IVoni 10 to 15 
l)cr cent of Imuipbacks are wasted, and in a season when they aie as plentiliil as in 
1897 as many or more are wasted than are paeked. Some years ago, when only a few 
humpbacks were i)acked, they were so numerous iu Naha Bay that tens of thousands 
were hauled on the banks and left to decay iu order to thin them out. 

LABELS AND BRANDS. 

Every cannery in Alaska has its own labels and brands, and the same lish are 
packed in each cannery uuder various brands. One cannery that was visited had 
seventeen. The reason for employing so many is briefly as follows: When the can- 
neries were first operated independently each adopted various brands for the same 
species of fish, and they were introduced into different sections, ultimately creating 
demand for particular goods. 

Ill spite of these various brands, the highest-grade goods iu all, or nearly all, the 
Alaska pack has some word which conveys to the consumer what is in the tni, if he 
knows the key. The few cans of king salmon that are packed have the words 
"king" or "Alaska king'' somewhere on the label, but these lish form so small a part 
of the Alaska pack that they can hardly bo considered. The labels lor redlish, which 
forms the great bulk of the pack, as a rule have the word " red" in some connection, 
such as "red salmon," "choice red salmon," "Alaska red salmon," etc. In some 
canneries a few of the early cohoes find themselves under a redfish label, but usually 
a can marked "red salmon" contains that lish. 

The cohoes, and frequently the white king salmon, are usually packed under a 
label that somewhere has the words "spring salmon" on it, and the humpback is 
covered by the term " i)ink salmon." The few dog salm<m packed are covered either 
under "pink salmon" or else go in with that heterogeneous mass of tips and tails, 
light-weights, "do-overs," etc. Some of the canneries have not adopted this system 
of labeling, but with about three-fourths of the Alaska pack the words " king," 
"red," "spring," and "pink," are used, as just mentioned. 

The names of companies which have never had any real existence are sometimes 
found on labels. Some of these are the Prince of Wales Packing Company, Tolstoi 
Packing Company, Clarence Straits Packing Company, Moira Packing Company, Coal 
Pay Packing Company. These are simply names that some years ago were placed on 
labels of which a few are still in use. They are supposed to represent lish taken at 
the several localities, but no canneries were ever located at those places or operated 
under the company titles. 

As elsewhere noted, fictitious cannery names are also used to cover "do overs." 



The larger part of the canned redfish goes abroad, i)rincipally to England. These 
are the choicest of the pack, and more than usual care is observed in preparing 
them, as the European market demands a high grade of goods. The cans are care- 
fully weighed, ami contain about 1 ounce more than a pound, so as to be sine to avoid 
light weights. The cans are carefully inspected for dents or defects, and the fish are 
the very best. It is usual on European orders to o])en a certain number of cases and 
average the order from an inspection of these cans. If they are defective, reclamation 
is made. The remainder of the pack of redfish, together with the cohoes, humpbacks, 
dog salmon, tips and tails, and do-overs remain in the home market, and some are 
shipped to Australia, South America, and the South Seas. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 33 

PRICED! OF CANNED SALMON. 

The prices vary with tlie demand. On accouut of the large output in 1897 cauned 
salmon that year sold very low. A good average price for the 1S!)G output was, for 
king salmon, $1.15; redfish, 90 cents; echoes, 80 cents, and humpbacks, 65 cents per 
dozen cans. The prices paid during the winter of 1897-98 were, king, $1.10; redfish, 
85 cents; cohoes, 75 cents, and humpbacks, 55 cents per dozen. These are simply 
averages from first hands in large quantities. One large organization, it is reported, 
sold 300,000 cases of tlie best redfish on foreign order, before the pack was made, at 
83 cents per dozen. The other grades are sold for what they will bring. 

CANS AND BOXES. 

It is difficult, without seeing, to appreciate the enormous number of cans used 
in a cannery. Prom the time of the arrival of the em])loyees at the cannery, six or 
eight weeks before the salmon run commences, the Chinese who do the packing are 
employed in making cans, as their contract calls for the packing work complete, from 
the making of the cans to the stowing of the labeled, filled cans into the cases.* The 
body of nearly all cans is made by hand, but there are a few machines in use that 
solder the long body seams. In nearly, H' uot quite, all the canneries, after the cans 
are filled the bottoms and toi)s are soldered by machinery. To pack 50,000 cases 
requires 2,400,000 cans, and the Alaska pack in 1897 took about 4.3,600,000 cans. 
This requires about 100,000 boxes of tin plate, weighing 10,000,000 pounds (5,000 tous 
roughly) and costing about $400,000. The tin plate used at present is what is known 
as 100-pouud tin for the body of the can, and 95-pound tin for the tops. It takes 
about 110 boxes of tin i)late for 1,000 cases. Domestic tin is largely used for the i>ack 
sold for home use, but inqjorted tin for the export pack. Formerly all tin plate was 
imported, and what is known in the trade as 110 pound and 112-pound tin was used. 

One box of 100-pound tin, 14 inches by 20 inches, Knglish i)late, contains 112 
sheets of tin plate, weighing IttO pounds, or with the box 5 pounds additional. One 
box of 95 pound tin of the same dimensions contains 112 sheets of tin plate, weighing 
95 pounds net, or with the box 5 pounds additional. The quotations in December, 
1897, in San Francisco, on lots of 500 boxes or more, duty paid, were $4.20 per box for 
100-pound tin and $4.10 for 95-pound tin. American plate is the same except in i)rice, 
which at the time the imported tin quotations were made was for 100-pound tin $3,425, 
and for 95-pound tin 10 cents less per box, delivered f. o. b. San Francisco in large lots. 
One-fourth of 1 per cent is said by dealers to cover all deterioration due to rusting, 
sweating, etc. 

For the season's pack it is usual to allow 110 boxes of tin to 1,000 cases of cans. 
This makes an allowance of 2.J to 3 per cent for rusty plates, losses due to imperfectly 
cut sheets, and for other cannery uses, as the following will show : One sheet 14 inches 
by 20 inches will cut bodies or 24 tops of Ipouud tall cans; 1,000 cases, or 48,000 
cans, contain 96,000 tops (4,000 sheets) plus 48,000 bodies (8,000 sheets) equal to 12,000 
sheets, which is 1074 boxes, or 107 boxes and 10 sheets. Hence 112 sheets, 14 inches 
by 20 Inches, will make 448 tall l-pound salmon cans, or 1 box of tin plate will make 
9J cases of cans. In canneries generally it is said that actual experience shows that 

* In Bering Sea packing commences soon after tbe ice ])erniita the vessels to enter the estuaries. 
As a rule, empty cans are carried from San Francisco to these canneries. 

F.c.n.wjs—s 



34 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

1 box of tin will make only 9^ cases, at wliicli rate it will take KtO ,',, boxes of tin to 
1,000 cases. 

There is a rebate of 99 per cent of the duty on imported tin used on the export 
pack, but under the ])resent ruling every box must be accounted for, and it is said 
that under these conditions only about 75 per cent is realized on account of the inability 
to account for the disposition of every box. 

The boxes in which the canned salmon is packed in Alaska are mostly made in 
Puget Sound and carried up in shocks. The cannery at Metlakahtla turns out its 
own boxes, and the sawmill in Tongass Narrows, operated by Metlakahtla Indians, 
supplies Loring and Wrangell. As lumber can not legally be exported from Alaska, 
there is only a small local demand for the product of the sawmills. 

DEPLETION OF STREAMS. 

When a person interested in a cannery is questioned regarding the decrease of 
salmon in Alaskan waters, he is likely to assure you at once that there are Just as 
many salmon in the streams as there ever were, and begins his proofs by citing years 
like 1896, when there was a large run of redfish in Alaska; but any disinterested 
authority on the subject will say that the streams of Alaska are becoming depleted. 
While it can hardly be said that the streams will fail entirely within a few years, there 
is no doubt that the average runs show fewer fish year by year, and if the laws are 
not amended and enforced, the time will come in the not very distant future when the 
canneries must suffer through their own actions. 

It is a diflicult matter to furnish convincing proofs to those who do not wish to 
be convinced, and any argument may fail with those who are interested commercially. 
It is also difficult to establish proof by statistics, because accurate stream statistics, 
as a rule, can not be obtained; and, as to packs, the canneries have multiplied iu 
numbers, and many of them have been so enlarged that no comparison can be made. 
The causes of the depletion are the barricading of streams and overfishing; iu other 
words, illegal fishing. 

In the examinations of the various streams, as outlined in the following pages, all 
resources have been exhausted to obtain data showing their past and present condi- 
tion. It must be evident to anyone referring to the records of the streams that they 
are furnishing fewer fish than formerly, in spite of the improved gear and appliances. 
The results of barricading are illustrated in such streams as Karta Bay, Naha Bay, 
Yes Bay, Klawak, Redoubt, and many others in southeast Alaska; in the streams of 
Prince William Sound district, on Afognak Island, and at Chignik. The illegal obstruc 
tion of streams by barricades is more apparent in southeast Alaska than elsewhere 
because the streams are small, there are many of them, and they are easily closed; 
but from all reports made to me, even by cannerymen, the district of Prince William 
Sound is and has been more heavily barricaded in proportion than southeast Alaska. 

The following may be some evidence bearing upon the subject of depletion : Taking, 
for instance, a section of southeast Alaska, irom Behm Ganal and I'riuce of Wales 
Island south a,nd east, in 1889 four canneries were operated, viz, Loring, Burroughs 
Bay, Ketchikan (burnt that year, but packed 13,000 cases), and Yes Bay. In 1897 
four canneries also operated, viz, Loring, Yes Bay, Metlakahtla, and Quadra. Iu 1889 
the packs were made from the streams near the canneries — that is, from the "home 
streams" — and nearly all were redfish, with a few cohoes and probably very few hump 



Bull. U S. F C 18^n (To fac. 







BARRICADE IN WEST BRANCH OF SKOWL ARM. 



Bn 


U S F C, 189R iTo face oaee 34 i 












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BARRIER IN SALMON STREAM AT HEAD OF NICHOLS BAY 




rtlCADE IN SALMON STREAM. NEAR HESSA 




DAM IN OUTLET TO LAKE, REDFISH BAY. 



Bull, U. S. r. C. 1898 iTc face page 34.) 




Bull U, S F. C 1893. (To face page 341 




U S, F, C. 1898 iTo lace page 34. i 




BARRIER IN STREAM AT M DONALD BAY 



iHiniiiriiiirrriiiiri^iiififl, 



'l^f^ffVtt'Wiiiiiii 



FISH-TRAP IN M DONALD BAY. 




BARRIER IN STREAM ENTERING FIRST INLET, SOUTH SIDE OF MOIRA SOUND. 







r^^Jf 



INDIAN FISH-TRAP AND ARTIFICIAL CHANNEL IN STREAM, FIRST INLET, SOUTH SIDE OF MOIRA SOUND. 



Bull. U. S F C 1 




OLD BARRIER FENCES AND INDIAN FISH-TRAPS. KARTA BAY 



Bull. U. S F. C 1898. (To (ace page 34.) 



i^LATE 16. 




OBSTRUCTIOM AT KLAKAS FROM ABOVE 




OBSTRUCTION AT KLAKAS. FROM BELOW. 



THE SALMON AN1> SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



35 



backs, for the latter were uot in favor aud few were packed. In 1S97 the pack for the 
same section is double the 1889 pack, but they are uearly all jiumpbacks. The pack 
of redfish is certainly very much less, yet (dl the streams within 70 or 80 miles of the 
cauueries have been scoured with all the gear that could bo devised or used. 

Probably nowhere is the depletion more noticed than in Copper liiver Delta aud 
Prince William Sound district. In 1S90 the two canneries used 20 boats, each with 
150 fathoms of web, besides seines, and lished Mountain Slough, Eyak Lake aud River, 
and Algonek aud Glacier sloughs in the delta, aud Miner liiver and Cheniga in Prince 
William Sound. In 1897, to make a slightly increased pack, one cannery used o2 
boats, the other 43, all with 450 fathoms of web to a boat, and they fished all the 
streams from Chilkhat Eivtr to Eyak in the delta, aud all the streams in Prince William 
Sound. There is no doubt in the minds of the people of Prince William Sound that 
the streams are being depleted. 




Redfish hatchery at Karluk. 

At Karluk, in spite of the great run of 1896, it is conceded that the average run 
is smaller than in the early days of fishing off this river. 

At Cbignik, from 1890 to 189G, an average of 01,400 cases per year were packed 
from that stream by one organization. In 1896 three separate canneries, with all their 
forces and every effort they could make, only packed about 65,000 cases of Chignik 
fish ; and in 1897, by doubling their efforts, they reached a pack of 74,159 cases. Any- 
one who sees the fisheries at Chignik will readily understand that the stream can not 
stand the excessive fishing. 

It was a matter of great surprise to discover, as the investigations progressed, 
the large number of streams which were either actually barricaded, or which showed 
indications of having been barricaded, notwithstanding the strict law forbidding such 
obstructions, the maximum penalty being $1,000 flue, three months' imprisonment, 
and a tine of $250 jier day for every day the obstruction remains. 



36 liUM.ETIX OF THK UNITED STATICS FISH COMiMISSION. 

Wlu'ii tlie attention of those known to liave an interest in keeping tbe salmon 
streams in a normal condition has been calletl to the existence of barricades, with the 
expectation of having them join in protests against their construction, it has been 
surprising to hear some defend barricading as right, and the belief has been inevitable 
that if such persons were not directly concerned, they at least encouraged these 
practices. The statement was made in certain localities that it is impossible to obtain 
sufficient Hsh to compete with other canneries without barricading. This is very 
true, but the argument is absurd, and needs no comment. Equally absurd defense 
of barricades was made in other parts of Alaska. 

The effect of barricades can be readily appreciated. Salmon come to the streams 
to ascend for spawning at certain dates, from which there is little variation. At first 
a few stragglers appear, then small schools, and the schools grow larger and larger 
as the season advances. At the mouths of the streams the fish accustom themselves 
to the new conditions in brackisli water, and if the river is open to their passage they 
soon ascend to the lakes and thence to the spawning-beds. A whole school has been 
known to ascend in one night. If the stream is barricaded, preventing their ascent, 
they school around in the bay or inlet at the approaches of the streams, may apparently 
leave the vicinity for a short time, and then return and rei>eat this process many 
times. While thus schooling in the salt water they do not reach a spawning condition 
so rapidly, and continue suitable for canning a longer time. Some of the fish that are 
more advanced toward the ripening period, in their frenzy to get to the spawning- 
grounds, fairly attack the obstruction and have been known to dash themselves 
against the timbers with such force as to be killed or die of exhaustion caused by the 
repeated attacks. Brietly, the barricades corral the fish, and thus permit the fisher- 
men to catch all at little expense; they are also said to keep them from rii)ening 
rapidly, and thus permit the cannerymen to pack good-quality fish much later in the 
season. This seems to be shown in tbe 1890 catch at Hetta, where — not from the 
action of barricades, but because the fish, on account of the extreme low water, could 
not ascend until the late September rains raised the water — over 40,000 redflsh were 
taken between September 1 to L'O. It is claimed tliat after the fishing season is over 
some of the rails of the barricade are knocked out to allow the remaining stragglers 
to pass through, but this is doubtful. 

The defenders of barricades state that when the water in the rivers is high it 
flows over the ends of the rails, and some redfish leap the barrier, while the other 
species and the trout are kept out, and thus the eggs of the redfish are preserved. 
But the barricades are generally so constructed that if a few fish find a passage the 
same proportion of one species passes in as another. 

The origin of barricading Alaska salmon streams dates back to a jjeriod prior to 
the acquisition of Alaska by the United States. The Russians built "zapors" oi- dams 
with stone piers across the streams, near the settlements, from which they drew their 
salmon supi)ly. The ruins of some are still standing, at Kedoubt, Afognak, and other 
places. The injury these zapors caused to the fisheries is acknowledged by everyone 
who has any knowledge of the subject. The Russians doubtless received the idea of 
barricading the streams from the Indians. When the first fisheries for the canneries 
were organized, "these little Inilian devices," as they were called by a person interested 
in Indian education, were in use, and in some instances were so ingeniously arranged 
that the fish were carried out high and dry into a basket. At one jJace (Klawak) 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIKS OF ALASKA. 37 

au Indian owner of a stream used to boast tliat Lis trap was so cleverly arranged 
that not a tisb could get up the stream; that he caught them. all. It is said that the 
Indians ap[)reciated the necessity of allowing the fish to ascend the streams to 
spawn, and therefore after obtaining their winter supply they opened the barricades. 
That barricading has been done in recent years by the Indians there is no doubt, 
for in a number of iiistiinces evidences of recent barricading were found on streams 
jiresumably fished by Indians only. If the law were translated into Chinook, i)rinted 
on muslin, and posted in every Indian village and explaineil to the natives, it wonld 
have au excellent eft'ect. 

The general form of tliese barricades is the same, and a description of one in 
Nichols Bay stream, Prince of Wales Island, may answer in a general way for all. 
The barricades extend solidly across the stream, and the best idea that can be gained 
of this construction is by reference to the illustrations accompanying this report. 
They are located near the high-water mark and, if possible, at a jjoint where a pool is 
formed immediately below the obstruction. A tree, 2 or 3 feet in diameter, is felled 
across the stream, and then cut to a proper length so as to make a log that reaches 
from bank to bank and from 4 to 
6 feet above the surface of the 
stream. This log isthen Jamine<l 
and wedged into the rocky ledges 
on each side of the banks, sup 

ported underneath to pverent it 

from sagging, and braced from 

the downstream side by heavy „ , . . , i , • i. , , ■ .• 

"^ Lndviewot bamcarte, snowing metliod ot coustrnctioii. 

beams to resist the great pressure 

brought by the floods. Straight saplings, 18 to 20 feet in length and 3 to 4 inches in 
diameter, are cut, sometimes split lengthwise, and laid in the direction of the stream 
over the log, the butts embedded in the river bed upstream and covered with the river 
deposit, and the lower ends projecting over the log several feet. These split rails are 
laid solidly side by side from bank to bank. The water at ordinary stages llo\\ s 
through the interstices, and in heavy Hoods over the ends. 

The barricades are usually so solidly built that they resist the ordinary drift, and 
at most have but a few rails, which are easily replaced if knocdvcd out. Frecpiently 
a second tree is partly cut, so as to have it i-eady in case of aitcident to the barricade- 
Such was the construction of the one at Nichols Bay stream, and in addition, at one 
side where there was a branch, a wire netting was stretched across. 

It IS readily seen that the iish in passing upstream go under the log and are 
prevented from further ascent by the rails, and as their spawning instinct keeps them 
heading the current, they remain in the vicinity aiul are easily captured. This barri- 
cade was so solid that not a fish could pass through ; it is probable, however, with a full 
stream and the water pouring over the end, that a few salmon following the stream may 
leap the end rails. To prevent this there is sometimes an effective addition in the 
shape of a galvanized iron wire netting stretched across the top in the direction of the 
log, from bank to bank, to catch the strays that might succeed in leaping the barrier. 
In sonse instances, instead of the split rails, there are heavy rails laid ui)stream, about 
4 feet apart, and over these are secured light frames of openwork like the lathing of a 
lobster pot, but heavier, through which the water can flow while excluding the passage 
of fish. 




38 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

THE ALASKA SALMON LAW. 

Tlic following act, passed June 9, 1896, relating to the salmon tislieries of Alaska, 
is the one now in force: 

AN ACT to amend an act entitled "An act to provide for the protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska." 

JSe it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Conijresa 
assembled, That tho act approved March second, cigliteon hinidrod and eighty-nine, and entitled "An 
act to provide for tho protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska," is hereby amended and reenacted 
as follows : 

That tho erection of dams, barricades, lish wheels, fences, or any snch fixed or stationary obstruc- 
tions in any part of tho rivers or streams of Alaska, or to lish for or catch salmon or salmon trout in 
any manner or by any means, with the purpose or result of preventing or impeding the ascent of salmon 
to their spawning ground, is declared to be unlawful, and thi' Secretary of tho Treasury is hereby 
authorized and directed to remove such obstructions and to establish and enforce such regulations 
and surveillance as may bo necessary to insure that this prohibition and all other provisions of law 
relating to tho salmon fisheries of Alaska are strictly complied with. 

Sec. 2. That it shall be nnlawful to fish, catch, or kill any salmon of any variety, except with 
rod or spear, above the tide waters of any of the creeks or rivers of less than five hundred feet width 
in the Territory of Alaska, except only for purposes of propagation, or to lay or set any drift net, 
set net, trap, pound net, or seine for any purpose across the tide waters of any river or stream for a 
distance of more than one-tbird of the width of such river, stream, or channel, or lay or set any seine 
or net within one hundred yards of any other net or seine which is being laid or set in said stream or 
channel, or to take, kill, or fish for salmon iu any manner or by any means in any of the waters of the 
Territory of Alaska, either iu the streams or tide waters, except Cook Inlet, Prince William Souno, 
Bering Sea, and the waters tributary thereto, from midnight on Friday of each week until si.K o'clock 
antemeridian of tho Sunday following; or to fish for or catch or kill in any manner or by any appli- 
ances, except by rod or spear, any salmon in any stream of less than one hundred yards in width in 
the said Territory of Alaska between the hours of sis o'clock in the evening and six o'clock in the 
morning of the following diiy of each and every day of the week. 

Sec. 3. That the Secretary of the Treasury may, at his discretion, set aside any streams as spawning 
grounds, in which no fishing will be permitted; and when, in his judgment, the results of fishing 
operations on any stream indicate that the number of salmon taken is larger than the capacity of the 
stream to produce, he is authorized to establish weekly close seasons, to limit the duration of the 
fishing season, or to prohibit fishing entirely for one year or more, so as to permit salmon to increase: 
Provided, however, That such power shall be exercised only after all persons interested shall have been 
given a hearing, of which hearing due notice must be given by publication : And provided further. That 
it shall have been ascertained that the persons engaged in catching salmon do not maintain fish 
hatcheries of sufficient magnitude to keep such streams fully stocked. 

Sec. 4. That to enforce the provisions of law herein, and such regvilations as the Secretary of 
the Treasury may establish in pursuance thereof, he is authorized and directed to appoint one inspector 
of fisheries, at a salary of one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum ; and two assistant inspec- 
tors, at a salary of one thousand six hundred dollars each per annum, and he will annually submit to 
Congress estimates to cover the salaries an<l actual traveling expenses of tho oflfleers hereby authorized 
and for such other expenditures as may bo necessary to carry out the provisions of the law herein. 

Sec. 5. That any person violating tho provisions of this act or tho regulations established in 
pursuance thereof shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand 
dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for a term of ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment, 
at the discretion of the court ; and, further, in case of the violation of any of the provisions of section 
one of this act and conviction thereof a further fine of two hundred and fifty dollars per diem will be 
imposed for each day that the obstruction or obstructions therein are maintained. 

This law, like others that have preceded it, is generally regarded as inadequate 
in some vital respects by those having the interest of the salmon fisheries at heart; 
but there is little agreement among cannery people as to what the law should be. 
There is, however, a general inclination toward a tax on the output of each cannery 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 39 

aud saltery for the support of hatcheries, and the suggestion that strcaiDS be leased 
for a term of years has everywhere luet with favor.* 

It must be admitted that the hiws and reguhitioiis portaiiiiiig to Alaska salmon 
fisheries are very generally disregarded, and that they do not prevent the illegal 
capture of lish. There is one case in which the law is likely to be respected, and that 
is when rival canneries, fishing in the same locality, are not mutually benefited by its 
non-observance. 

In conversation with the superintendent of one cannery it was remarked that, so 
far as experience and observation went, it was exceptional to find a cannery that did 
not pack some fish taken illegally, tie seemed very much surprised, and desired to 
impress upon me that in that district the law was observed. Ten minutes afterwards 
he acknowledged that they did not observe the weekly close season, aud the following 
day it was learned that one stream fished by this cannery was tilhul with nets from 
mouth to source, and that in the lake at the head of another stream there was a trap 
planned by the foreman of the cannery. 

It is probably true that lish are sometimes carried to canneries that have been 
taken illegally without the knowledge of the superintendent, for the reason that, 
excepting the home stream, he does not see much of the fisheries, as his time is taken 
up witli the canning operations. In general the caunerymen would like to see the 
law enforced if it could be done impartially. While in a minor degree thehiw may be 
defective, and, owing to the varying conditions found iu the vast extent of territory 
involved, may need amending, stdl it is good as it stands, and for the present it 
only needs enforcement, and this is not a difficult matter if the proper steps are taken. 
Without considering the large amount of money invested in the salmon fisheries of 
Alaska, the output is worth in round numbers $3,000,000 a year. Should not such an 
industry be fostered and properly protected ? 

Reference is made to the reports of the salmon inspectors published by the Treas- 
ury Department to show the nature of the work performed by these officiiils and the 
obstacles they encounter in the.performance of their duties. 

My own criticism of the law is briefly as follows: It was evidently framed upon the 
basis that the salmon fisheries of Alaska were confined to large rivers like the Colum- 
bia and Fraser, while the fact is that 70 per cent of the Alaska pack is taken from 
around the mouths of comparatively small streams, and each stream presents certain 

* In April, 1898, the Secretary of tlie Treasury sent a letter to tbe House of Representatives iu 
which ameudments to existing laws were proposed as follows and for the reasons stated : 

The present salinon-iisheries laws have been found inadequate to meet existing requirements, 
and thoir amendment along the line of the inclosed bill is recommended in the light of sulisoqueut 
investigation by Uoverument agents after careful consideration of the questions which the present 
law fails to meet. The material changes iu the present law embodied in the inclosed draft are, briefly : 

First. The erection of traps only under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. 

Second. The withdraw.al of the protection afforded by tho present law to salmcm trout, it being 
generally understood that the latti^r species are destructive to salmon spawn and fry. 

Third. The extension of tho operations of the law to the territorial waters of Alaska, thereby 
preventing the erection of stationary obstructions in tho approaches to rivers and streams. 

Fourth. The prohibition of the erection of salmon canneries in Alaska without a permit from the 
Secretary of tho Treasury. 

Fifth. The requirement of a detailed annual statement of the operations of all canneries and 
manufactories of fisli-oil production to the special agents for tho salmon fisheries. 

Sixth. The detailing of an employee of the Treasury Department to act as an .additional special 
agent without o.xtra eompensation. 

Seventh. The imposition of a tax upon tho output of all canneries, salteries, fish-oil or fish- 
fertilizer works. 

Eighth. Changing the penalty for violation of this act from a maximum fine of $1,000 to $5,000. 



40 lUILLKTIN OK THE UNITED STATES FI.SU COMMISSION. 

peculiarities, so that it is diHiciilt to ])r<itect the fislieries liy a general law, and it must 
be left to departiueutal regulations.* 

The first sectiou of the present law, wherein it is stated "or to fish for or catcli 
sahnou or salmon trout in any manner or by any means, with the jniipose or result of 
preventing or impeding the ascent of salmon to their spawning-ground, is declared to 
be unlawful," ])laces the whole matter in the hands of the Secretary of the Treasury. 
The second section, relating to the weelcly close season, should in my opinion make 
no exception in any district. The. plea is probably made that in the districts exempted 
the fish are taken in gill nets, which permit some fish to pass all the time; but if this 
is the plea it is a mistake. Every cannery in Bering Sea and Cook Inlet uses traps 
besides gill uets, and is there any reason why traps should be used at those places 
during tlie weekly close season and not at Ohignik! In Prince William Sound neitlier 
traps nor gill nets are used; all fish are taken in seines — yet it is exempt from opera- 
tion of the close time provision of the law. The fisheries in "this locality are on the 
same footing as those in southeast Alaska, except that gill nets are used in Chilkat 
and Taku inlets and at the mouth of the Stikine. If the exception is made on the 
gill-net plea, then the law should provide that "all canneries obtaining their fish by 
gill nets exclusively are exempt." If the exception is made on account of a short 
fishing season, it might hold good for Bering Sea, but in no other ])lace, though I 
should be opposed to any exemption. The run of redtish in Cook Inlet and Prince 
William Sound is for a long period, and in fact for a longer ])eriod than in the 
southeast Alaska district, and on these pleas there is absolutely no reason for 
exempting those places. 

The time of the weekly close season should by all means be changed so as to 
include Sunday. As it stands, it was no doubt intended that the canneries should 
pack the Friday's catcli on Saturday and be closed on Sunday. If the law were 
observed it would permit the Chinese, who know no Sabbath, to rest on that day, 
while the white fishermen and Indians would be obliged to woik on that day. We 
.send missionaries among tlie Indians and teach them to keep the Sabbath, and then 
enact laws which compel them to work. Mr. Duncan' at Metlakahtla, states that his 
Indians do not fish during the close season on account of the law, and would not on 
the Sabbath on account of his teachings, and the law therefore bears hard upon that 
community. 

The first part of section 2 might as well read so as to make it unlawful to take 
salmon in any river or stream above tidewater, with the exceptions given in the act, 
for the reason that there are no fisheries in Alaska, so far as I know, above tidewater 
in any river or stream over 500 feet in width. This section would, however, be very 
much improved if "tidewater" were stricken out and the section made to read "in any 
of the rivers, streams, or estuai'ies less than 500 feet wide," and then the last provision 



*The bill making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year 
ending .June 30, 1897, contained the following provision : 

" For the protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska, under the direction of the Secretary of the 
Treasury, seven thousand dollars, to bo immediately available: Provided, That in lieu of the three 
inspectors whose employment is authorized by the act of .June ninth, eighteen hundred and ninety -six, 
there shall bo appointed by the I'resident, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one 
agent at a salary of two thousand five hundred dollars per annum, and one assistant agent at a 
salary of two thousand dollars per annum." (Statutes 55th Cong., 1st sess., chap. 2, 1897, p. 29.) 

The sundry civil bill for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, appropri.ited the same amount for 
th<' jirotectiou of the salmon fisheries, without specifying the salaries to be paid. , 



Bull. U. S F. C. 1898. (To face page 40 





THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERTES OP ALASKA. 41 

of the section could be cut out entirely. The words "rivers, strennis, and channels" 
should be used with considerable caution as to the meaning. There should also be a 
proviso inakinji- it unlawful to pack fish taken illegally. 

The Treasury Department is empowered to establish regulations governing the 
salmon fisheries, and the first section gives ample power in the matter. There are 
several technical points which need exphmation and should be embodied in the regu 
lations. The most important of these refers to section 2, and is as follows: Does the 
law, so far as it relates to rivers or streams that receive tidal waters, refer to the 
conditions at low water or at high water? As a rule there are great flats off fhe 
mouths of the Alaska rivers, and, as there is a rise and fall of tide of fioni !.'> to 40 
feet, varying in the different sections, the topographical features appear very different 
at low water from what they do at high water. Low water is the proper base to which 
the laws should apply, and is the plane to which Government surveys are reduced 
on all charts. Everything pertaining to hydrography is reduced to low water, and 
on published surveys tlie dividing line between land and water is the line cut by the 
low-water plane. This is a (luesfion of vital importance and a decision should be 
rendered. 

The same (|uestion involves the legality of traps in the Kussilof Kiver and others 
to the westward. Tiie point is whether or not they are in the river. The Kussilof 
liiver at high water has its mouth at the point where it ilebouches into Cook Iidet, 
where the banks are both defined within the meaning of slioie people; while at low 
water the stream flows between steep and welldefined banks that are covered at high 
water, yet they are banks, and the mouth is then a long distance from the high-water 
mouth. 

One of the traps at Kussilof is between what might be called the liigli watei- mouth 
and the low-water mouth of the river. It is the one near the cannery on the southern 
bank. The leader commences at high-water mark and extends down the left bank 
wif 1) the heart in the low-watei' river, which is (jnite narrow. At high water the trap 
is clearly outside of the river, at low water it is as clearly inside, but it is then mostly 
uncovered and on dryland, and serves no more puri)Ose in catching fish than a line of 
telegraph i)ok'S. This low-water river is very shallow; in fact, it has a bar at the moufh 
which dri<'s at the lowest tides, .so that fish do not ascend at low water, but probably 
only at high water, when they trim closely around th(i shore and are dettected into the 
trap. It is said that the traps at Keuai are similarly located, and are in fact in tiie 
river. We did not visit Kenai, as no cannery has been in operation there for a number 
of years, and as the fishing season was all over and the traps ])ulled up at the time of 
our call. 

A decision on the following point is also very necessary : There are several b<i(lics 
of water in Alaska which are joined to the sea by narrow passages which at low tide 
are rapids, thus making lakes or lagoons of these interior bodies, and during the last 
of the flood tide the water flows iu, forming them into tidal l)asins. Naha and Karluk 
are examples of this, but others may be found. If the plane of low water is decided 
upon as the meaning of the law, some of these bodies i)robably become lakes; but 
is it illegal to take a salmon in a lake? The law prohibits fishing by any means 
that prevents the i)arent salmon from reaching the spawning-ground; but, so far as 1 
can learn, nothing is said about fishing on tlie si)awning-ground in the lakes, which is 
vastly more important than fishing iu the streams. My opinion is that, in tiHvnidhui 
a river from the sea, when that "river, stream, or estuary" once attains a width iu 



42 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES PISH COMMISSION 

which it is Illegal to fish, even though it afterwards widens into a lake or basin, it 
should be regarded, so far as the law is concerned, as of the width restricted by the law, 
for the lake or basin can flow no more water than the narrow part of the outlet unless 
there are more outlets, which is exceedingly improbable. 

Traps should either not be allowed or else should be regulated. The leads, heart, 
and wings should not be permitted to extend over more than one-third of the width 
of the channel (not width between banks), and the shore end of the leader .should not 
be peruutted to approach nearer the shore than 100 feet from the low- water mark, and 
no trap should be permitted within 300 yards of any other trap. 

Under section 1, of the law quoted, the Treasury Department should by all means 
regulate the Ashing in approaches to the stream. It is recommended that off the 
mouths of all streams in which fishing is prohibited by the act, no fishing be per- 
mitted, except by rod or spear, over an area formed by drawing a line from a point 100 
yards on either side of the river, in a direction parallel to the flow at the mouth and 
extending 500 yards into the bay, arm, or sea. In several localities the seines are run 
across the mouths of the rivers, and one seine follows another in such rapid succession 
that but few fish can ascend, for it must be remembered that a seine dragged through 
the water must necessarily frighten the fish, and those that are not taketi probably 
do not return for an appreciable time, and then only to encounter another seine. 

The law does not provide for a suflicient number of insxiectors. Six would not be 
too many, and it should be stated that the appointees shall be practical fishermen, 
who must be in the field from the time fishing begins — in some districts early in May — 
until it closes, in some districts about the 1st of October. 

The inspectors should be clothed with the power to reject fish that are unfit. 
Fish out of the water for more than forty-eight hours should be rejected. It may be 
considered by some that this is too short a time; that the weather of Alaska will 
permit fish to remain in good condition for a longer period. But this is not the case; 
during the packing season there are at times warm days, and there is much rain and 
fog, the fish are handled in masses, and deterioration is rapid. 

The superintendents of the canneries of the largest organization that operates in 
Alaska are instructed not to pack fish that have been more than forty-eight hours out 
of the water. There are probably fewer bad fish packed than is usually believed by 
the public, yet many are packed that are unfit. 

Reference has already been made to the manner in which fish are collected at 
some canneries from distant points. These fish are often two days old when collected, 
and before they are finally packed three or four days have elapsed, and they are then 
probably unfit for food. 

In order that the productive capacity of the streams may be known, the law 
should in-ovide that each cannery, saltery, or person engaged in packing, canning, 
salting, or drying, or otherwise preparing salmon for commercial purposes, must, on or 
before December 31 of each year, submit to the Treasury Department a sworn state- 
ment giving the number of cases, boxes, barrels, bales, or bundles of each species so 
prepared, and the number of fish of each and every species used in the business, 
separately for each stream, together with the dates when fishing was commenced and 
ended in each stream. Without this information it is simply impossible to ascertain 
the correct value of the streams and to regulate the fisheries. 

The law should also provide that all cans should be distinctly marked with the 
name and location of the cannery and the kind of salmon packed. 



. U. S. F.C. 1898. (To (ace page 42-) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 43 



RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SALMON FISHERIES AND THE INDIANS. 

Wlieuever the Albatross anchored near any locality either permanently or tempo- 
rarily inhabited by natives, a delegation of the older men or chiefs came on board 
and requested an audience. The powwows which followed invariably took the form 
of relating the oppression of the white inan.| At Klinkwan, Chacon, Klakas, Klawak, 
Metlakahtla, Kasaan, Karta Bay, and, in fact^ everywhere, the Indians were greatly 
exercised over their condition, ]and notwithstanding that they were repeatedly 
informed that the Fisli Commission party had nothing to do with the execution of the 
law and was merely in the country for the jiurpose of examining the fisheries, they 
insisted that, as we were Government oflicers, we must hear them. 

The permanent Indian villages during the spring and summer months are practi- 
cally deserted except by a few old people, the young men and women being away, 
living in camps and curing their winter supply during the spring, and when the can- 
neries open, fishing for them or doing work about them. The canneries at Klawak 
and Metlakahtla are operated by Indians, the former drawing quite a number from 
Howkan and Klinkwan. At Chacon the Indians from Kasaan were curing halibut, 
and they were again met at Hunter Bay, where they had come for cannery work. 
It is only during the winter that the permanent villages are fully inhabited. 

<^They are essentially flsh-eating Indians, depending upon the streams of the country 
for a large amount of food supply. These streams, under their own administration, 
for centuries have belonged to certain families or clans settled in the vicinity, and 
their rights in these streams have never been infringed upon until the advent of 
the whites. No Indians would fish in a stream not their own except by invitation, 
and they can not understand how those of a higher civilization should be — as they 
regard it — less honorable than their own savage kind. They claim the white man is 
crowding them from their homes, robbing them of their ancestral rights, taking away 
their fish by shiploads; that their streams must soon become exhausted ; that the Indian 
will have no supply to maintain himself and family, and that starvation must follow.^ 
The natives urge that the law prohibiting them from owning mining claims is 
very hard to endure; that they wear the same clothes, eat the same food, obey the 
same laws as the white man, and are far more orderly than the white communities, and 
that they should have the same rights. They acknowledge the white man's superior- 
ity; all they want is suitable encouragement to imitate him. The Prince of Wales 
Indians also complained against the Metlakahtla community, stating that'the latter 
are foreigners and come to their island, cut out the best timber, and carry it to their 
sawmill at Metlakahtla. While acknowledging the Metlakahtlans as superior in 
intelligence, they say that they would gladly embrace the same opportunities. 
•^ From the Indians' standpoint, their complaints are undoubtedly well founded, but 
history will no doubt repeat itself here, as in other portions of our country, where the 
aborigines have come in contact with the civilizing influence of the white man, where 
rum, disease, and mercenary dealings have slowly but surely exterminated them. My 
own sympathy is with the Indian, and I would gladly recommend, if the way were 
clear, the establishment of ownership in streams; but it is impracticable, and I can 
only ask for him a consideration of his claim and, wliatever law is framed, that a 
liberal balance be thrown in his favor./ 



44 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



In operating the canneries, the Indian sees the vahxe of the fish; he sees a means 
for obtaining money, the purchasing power of which he knows as well as does the 
white man, and if he could possess all the fish which he believes are his by right of 
inheritance, he would have plenty of money. In some instances canneries recog- 
nize well-established Indian rights to salmon streams by paying the chiefs a certain 
amount per year for the privilege of fishing, but in many cases nnscrupulous white 
men have gone among them with promises, only to break them when payment was due. 

It can not be denied, however, that the Indian is better situated now than he was 
before the canneries were established, or than he would be if the canneries were moved 
out of the country or abandoned. So far as his fish sup|)ly is concerned, it has not 
been seriously curtailed for his own use and can not be in the future, for long before 
salmon become extinct the canneries will be abandoned as unprofitable, it probably 
takes a little more work to get his winter sui)p]y now, but the money wliicli the 
canneries bring him permits a purchase of ^•arious foods, and so a large supply ot fish 




Catch of lialiliiit ou deck of stcainer Albatross, near Killisnoo. 

is not as necessary as formerly. The canneries bring the Indian ready money, far more 
than he can earn by labor in any other way, and if he is at all industrious he can earn 
sutticient during a canning season to support himself and his family during the winter. 
The canneries will most willingly pay for all the fish he brings them, or they will give 
him work at the cannery if he can be depended upon. Here, of course, is the chief 
difficulty. The cannery season is short, and men must be employed who are willing 
to give their labor at all times, and the Indian tires of his work very quickly. In the 
midst of it he is often seized with a desire to leave; he must hunt, or he must get 
fish for bis family, although bis wages for a day will purchase more fish than he can 
catch in a week; still he must go, and he goes. As a result, canneries do not want 
his labor. 



Bull U. S F, C, 1898. |To face page 44.) 



■ f, 


^^^ 


|||^^ ) jfir^in MM IMj IM ^JR KSh 


•^ 


^^&]Bi''!^!s^MSJBiU&^MF W "S 



OIL A^4D GUANO FACTORY AT KlLLISNOO 




GILL NET SET BY NATIVES, LAKE EYAK 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISIIEltlES OF ALASKA. 



45 



FISHING AND COLLECTING BY THE ALBATROSS. 

Diiriug the cruise, lisliiug by the ship's force with gill nets, seines, trawls, hand 
lines, etc., was carried ou whenever au opportunity offered. As the instructions also 
called for information relating to halibut, fishing efforts were largely in that direction. 

With gill nets we were only successful at Wrangell (mouth of the Stikine lliver), 
Uganuk, Yakutat, and Redfish i?ay, localities where the water was not clear. We 
took the first Dolly Varden trout {Salvelinus mabna), on June 10 at Metlakahtla, and 
the first redfish at Karta Bay June 20. At Thorne Bay, ou July o, we took 78 redfish 
with an average weight of Ci pounds, and 83 Dolly Varden trout averaging li pounds 
in weight. At Wrangell, in the discolored water, on July 7 we took a number of king 
aiid dog salmon and redfish iu the same gill net. 




Cleaning halibut on deck u( sttiiiiu r Allnilmss, mur K'illi.snoo. 
HALIBUT. 

The halibut trawls were set in all localities and every ett'art made not only to find 
halibut banks by our own resources, but imjuiry was made at every point relating to 
this subject. The investigations confirm the views of those whom I believe competent 
to judge, and that is that in southeast Alaska, on the American side of Dixon 
Entrance, there are no halibut banks for commercial purposes. Halibut were usually 
taken wherever we went, but nowhere in large numbers except oft' Killisnoo. 

On the southern side of Dixon Entrance, ou the plateau of the Queen Charlotte 
Islands, in the vicinity of Eose Spit and in Hecate Straits, there is comparatively 
shoal water — that is, under 50 fathoms; in these localities halibut are obtained in 
considerable numbers throughout the winter months when they are desired in Paget 
Sound for eastern shipment. In the spring and summer halibut are found scattering 



46 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES EISH COMMISSION. 

or in clusters throughout all the waters of southeast Alaska, but nowhere do great 
banks exist, so far as known, on which a vessel might fill up at all times, as can be 
done on the British Columbia side. They seem to follow the herring, and can also be 
obtained ott' any of the canneries, where they probably feed on the offal, and are 
sufficiently plentiful for local demands. 

On Bear Island, at the entrance to Nichols Bay, west of Cape Chacon, southern 
shore of Prince of Wales Island, is a summer village where the Indians from the 
siuTounding country camp and obtain their supply of halibut for drying. At the time 
of the visit of the Albatross it was occupied by Chief Skowl and i)art of his tribe of 
Kasaans. From this chief, who is rather an intelligent Indian, and his headmen, 
it was learned that off" Cape Chacon are a number of sjiots which the Indians locate 
by shore ranges and obtain there sufficient halibut for their own use and dry some for 
trade with the Tsimpseaus, from whom they obtain eulacbon oil. The ludians wiU 
speak with uplifted arms of " hyas pish " (plenty of flsh), but their ideas do not go 
beyond satisfying their own wants. There are no banks here. The halibut are found 
in spots, and while a vessel might (ill up, the fish would soon be cleaned off". 

Mr. Clark, proprietor of a saltery at Ketchikan, and a former Cape Ann fisherman, 
has a schooner and has tried to make a business of marketing halibut in the winter. 
He has prospected the ground himself, and has extended his inquiry in all directions, 
and his experience is similar to what has been stated. 



^^ 



V 



Halibut {Uippogloasm hippoylossus). 



Mr. Miller, of Klinkwan, stated that he had prospected over southeast Alaska, and 
had nowhere found any banks; that scattering halibut could be found everywhere and 
ill numbers in spots during the summer, aud some few in winter, but nowhere in 
quantities to supply a considerable market. 

Clarence Strait is frequently referred to as a great halibut- ground, aud tourists 
who make the southeast Alaska trij) are loud in their descriptions of the halibut 
fisheries off Killisnoo. The steamer <^ueen, which carries Alaska excursionists, makes 
it a point to give them a few hours of halibut fishing, aud sometimes when a good 
spot is found, or there is a large run of herring, many halibut are taken, while at other 
times they are not so abundant. When the average tourist gets a 50pound halibut on 
iii-s line, he has the experience of his life, and much has been said and written of these 
lialibut grounds. The Queen usually fishes between Danger Point and Kenasnow 
Rocks, off' the winter village of Angoon, or in that vicinity. Danger Point is 3 miles 
from the northern entrance to Killisnoo, and forms the southern point of entrance to 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 47 

Koot/.uaboo lulet. This inlet is noted for its immense schools of herring, and the 
Alaska Oil and Guano Company, located at Killisnoo, draws a large part of its lish 
from this inlet. 

The ground where it is said the Queen usually fishes was fished by the Albatross 
for an hour in from -iO to 50 fathoms of water; one halibut weighing 45 pounds was 
taken. We then moved off Danger Point, about one-fourth of a mile off the buoy 
marking the end of the reef, and fished from the vessel and two small boats with 21 
hand-lines all told, in from 10 to 30 fathoms, and -'n 1^ hours obtained 143 halibut, 
average weight 22 pouuds — the smallest 5 pounds, the largest Gl pounds. After this 
the vessel was moved 1 mile to the northward and continued fishing with hand lines, 
but nothing was taken. At Danger Point there was a large school of herring running 
into the inlet at the time of our fishing. The fishing is carried on over the shore shelf 
and the halibut are attracted by the herring. Small halibut vessels sometimes visit 
this locality and make part of a load, but there is no cei-tainty at any time. 




Hkkring {Clupeapallasi). 

About 4 miles above Danger Point are several halibut spots, and at the entrance 
to Che-Ik Bay is fairly good ground, but there are no banks that would supply a con- 
siderable market. A halibut was taken under tiie wharf at Killisnoo during the 
suuimer of 1897 weighing 450 x)ounds. It was in shoal water eating salmon heads and 
would not take the bait, so the hook was placed on the end of a pole and pushed into 
its mouth. The largest halibut we took weighed 1G5 pounds. It was caught on a 
trawl at Chasina Anchorage, Prince of Wales Island. As a rule the halibut are small. 
The weights of those we took at Killisnoo will give a fair average. 

The Indians at Yakutat in the spring of the year, when their stock of dried 
salmon is running low, fish on spots off Cape Pbipps and take all they want for their 
own use. During a day trawls were set with an experience similar to that in south- 
east Alaska. A few halibut were caught each time, but here, as iu other localities, 
the lines were filled with dogfish. It is possible that an extended examination 
might give different results, but for winter fishing it is a long distance from market, 
with severe weather to be encountered. 

We made several trial sets in Sitka Sound and took a few scattering halibut and 
a great many dogfish. 

Several years ago IMr. Robert Bell, who lives at Thorne Bay, spent the months 
of December, January, February, and part of March in a schooner i^rospecting for 
halibut iu southeast Alaska. He fished all over the interior waters from -Dixon 
Entrance to Peril Straits, and outside from Salisbury Sound to Dixon Entrance. 
As he has been a permanent resident of the Territory for some years and is in the 
fish business, he is well acquainted with the subject so far as it is known. On this 



48 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FI.SH COMMISSION. 



occasiou, at several points, from 5,000 to G,000 poiiiuls of halibut were obtained, but 
before the load could be made the fish spoiled and had to be thrown overboard. As 
a last resort, the vessel made for the Queen Charlotte banks, filled up, and went to 
market. 

Our investi{,fatiou of the halibut fisheries of Alaska was incidental to that of 
salmon; it would [irobably occupy several seasons for the thorough examination of 
this subject alone. 



CHARTS OF THE ALASKA SALMON DISTRICTS. 

The accompanying charts A and 1> are designed to show, as completely as possible, 
the location of the salmon canneries and streams of Alaska, the pioductive capacity 
of the streams, and such other information bearing upon the fishing interests of the 
region' as could be appropriately given in this manner. 

Several corrections are to be noted, most of them occurring in the lists of caiinerie)* 
printed on the charts. 

The following canneries arc owned by the Alaska Packers' Association, and sliouhl 
be so noted : 



SoUTHEAsr Alaska. 
Operiiteil, lcS97 : 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co. 

Glacier Packing Co. 

Alaska Salmon Packing and Eiir Co. 
Kesi-rve, 1897 : 

Chilkat Canning Co. 

Westeux .\laska. 
Oi.eiated, 1897: 

Bristol Bay Canning Co. 

Arctic Packing Co. at'Nnshagak. 

Alaska Packing Co. 

Point Roberts Packing Co. 

Arctic Packing C^o. at NaUnek. 

Ugashik Fisbing Station. 
Kesorvo, 1897 : 

Nushagak Packing Co. 

Bering Sea Packing Co. 



Centhal Alaska. 
Operated, 1807: 

Pacific Packing Co. 

Arctic Fisbing Co. 

Karluk Packing Co. 

IIi;m<-Alentian Packing Co. 

Alaska Improvement Co. 

Ilganuk Fishing Station. 

Arctic Packing Co. at Alitak. 

Cliiguik Bay Co. 
Reserve, 1897: 

Nortb('ru Packing Co. 

llnme Canning and Trading Co. 

Kodiak Packing Co. at Karlnk. 

Kodiak Packing Co. at Alitak. 

Cbignik Bay Packing Co. 



Chart ,1.— "Kasan Bay" should be "Kasaan Bay." 

Abandoned saltery No. 5 should be designated "Morriscy" in.stead of "No name." 

Chart B.—h\ the list of canneries Cannery No. 4 should be designated " Uganuk 

Fishing Station." 

Keserve cannery No. 9 should be designated "Ohignik Bay Packing Oo." 
Reserve s;»ltery No. li should be designated " Uganuk Fishing Station." 
"Alaska Coast and Fishing Co." should be "Alaska Coast Fishing Co." 
The name of the company operating reserve canneries 4 and is the "Kodiak 

Packing Co.," the old spelling of the name of the island being retained, instead of 

the present accepted spelling "Kadiak." 



Bulletin U.S.rC. 1898. 



Chart A. 




49 



fthe 
port 
and, 
neut 
1897 
moil 
I by 

7, as 
; uet 
uion 
ises, 
was 
1,000 
It of 
ted. 



ern 
ialc 
lid. 
the 
897 
iak 
iiid 
tbo 



Bulletin US.FC. 1838 



Chart B. 



r ? roimnisjion of Finh anJ n«ll 
I Geo, M, Bowers, Commtssionei 

SALMON INVESTIGATIONS 
COAST OF ALASKA 

FROM CAPE SUCKLIN(; TO UNIMAK PASS 
SHOWrnO LOCATIONS OF 

SALMON CANNERIES AND SALTERIES 
PRINCIPAL SALMON STREAMS 




I 



I 



THE SALMON AND SALMUN FISHEfUES OF ALASKA. 



49 



STATISTICS OF THE ALASKAN SALMON INDUSTRY. 

The following statistics of the salmon industry of Alaska comprise a continuous record of the 
business from 1878, the year of its origin, to 1897, when the investigations referred to in this rei)ort 
were made. The data are more comprehensive and useful than any Leretolbre published, and, 
besides showing the annual development of the industry in each section, will have a permanent 
value because of the interesting comparisons that will be possible. For the years LSOG and 1897 
there are given detailed statistics of persons employed, capital invested, apparatus used, salmon 
utilized, and canned products prepared. Special statistics of the salmon salting coiulucted by 
independent establishments are shown for 1897. 

The total quantity of salmon canned in Alaska during the twenty years ending in 1897, as 
shown by the following table, was 7,508,358 cases, each case holding 48 one-pound cans. Tlie net 
weight of the flsh thus prepared was 360,401,184 pounds, while the gross weight of the salmon 
required for this pack was over 500,000,000 pounds. The average annual pack was 375,418 cases, 
but during the last ten years of the period in question the average quantity of salmon canned was 
091,743 cases and the total gross weight of the tish utilized for canning was over 470,000,000 
pounds. Thus, between 1888 and 1897 the Alaskan waters yielded au average yearly output of 
47,000,000 pounds of salmon for canning purposes, in addition to large quantities which were salted. 



Talile ahowinij hy years and diatiicti the nalmuii-caniiiiig vijeritlioiia in Alasla from 1S7S lo 1S97. 



Ymir. 

1 


Southeast 
Alnsk.i. 


Prince 

William | Kailiak 
Sciuudaiul CiMik Inlet. and 
Copper j Cliiguik. 
Eiver. | | 


Berin. 
Sea. 

Cases. 


Grand 
totals, all 
Alaska. 




Cases. 
8,159 
12, 530 
6,539 
8,977 
11,501 
18,0-10 
19, 189 
10, 828 
18,160 
31,462 
81,128 
136,700 
142, 901 
156,615 
115,722 
136. 053 
142,544 
148, 476 
262, 381 
271,867 


Caies. \ Cases. \ Cases. 


8, 159 
12,530 
6,539 
8,977 
21, 745 
46, 337 
fiO, 880 
77, 515 
141,565 
200, 077 
412,115 
714, 196 
682, 591 
801,400 
474,717 
643, 654 
086, 440 
626, 530 
900, 707 
909, 078 


1879 




1880 






1882 




6,044 
14, 818 
21,141 
19,217 
28, 433 
30,765 
42, 451 
50, 494 
28, 655 
58, 997 
20, 741 

31, 665 
34, 033 
36, 188 
34, 787 

32, 532 


4,200 
13, 479 
20, 156 
33, 470 
46, 150 
71,7,50 
198,650 
386. 753 
350, 451 
384, 279 
274, 755 
291.152 
322, 356 
232, 237 
358, 3.57 
298, 310 




1883 










400 
14, 000 

48, 822 
72, 700 
89, 886 
11,5,985 
118,390 
133,418 
03, 4!)9 
1U7, 786 
108, 844 
150, 135 
218, 336 
254, 312 


1885 




1886 




1887 






1889 


24, 204 
42, 194 
68, 091 


1890 




1892 


1893 


76,9118 
78. 603 
59, 494 
92, 866 
52, 057 




1895 


1890 




Totiil 


1,739,832 


494,567 


490,941 


3,286,505 











For four years after salmon canning was begun in Alaska it was coiiQiied to the southeastern 
part of the Territory; in 1882 the business was inaugurated in the Cook Inlet and the Kadiak 
regions; two years later canning commenced in Bering Sea, and in 1S89 in Prince William Sound. 
In all of these sections the industry has continued and has undergone a great increase, so that the 
pack of 1897 was larger than that of any jtrevious year except 1890.' Up to and including 1897 
more than two-tifths of the canned products, namely, 3,280,505 cases, had come from the Kadiak 
and Chignik district; somewhat more than one-fifth, or 1,7.39,832 cases, from southeast Alaska, and 
a little less than one-tifth, or 1,496,513 cases, from Bering Sea. The coudeu.sed tables showing the 



' TLo Aliisk:i salrncm jiack of ISil.S \v:ih :Onn\t <li;il,00(l r;ises. 
F. C. li. 1898—4 



50 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



annual pack in eacli region and tlie proportion of the ditierent sections in the value of the canned 
products afford an interesting study of the seasonal Huctuations of the business. 

The growth of the salmon-canning business, as indicated by the number of canneries in 
operation each year, is shown in the following table. The acme of tlie business was reached in 1889, 
when 37 canneries were run. In 1892, for reasons elsewhere stated, the active canneries were 
reduced to 15, and since that year there have been numbers of canneries held in reserve in the 
most important districts. Owing to the establishment of new canneries and the reopening of old 
ones, the plants operated in 1896 and 1897 were more numerous than in any season since 1891. 

Tahh- xhowhuj hij years the number of canneries operated in each ilixtrict of J In ska, from 1S7S 1o 1S97. 



Tears. 


Southeast 
Alaska. 


Prince 
AVilliam 
Sound and 
Copper 
Eiver. 


C.Kik Inlet. 


Kadiak 
and 

Chisnik. 


Bering 
Sea. 


Total. 


1878 


2 

1 
1 

1 










2 
1 
1 
3 
6 

G 
9 
10 
16 
37 
35 
30 
15 
22 
21 
23 
29 
29 












1880 










1881 










1882 




1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

2 
"2 
3 
1 

I 
1 
1 

1 
1 


i 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
4 
15 
14 
8 
5 


8 
1(1 




1883 1 4 

1884 4 

1885 3 








1 
1 
3 
3 
4 
4 
4 
5 
2 
3 
4 
6 
8 
7 




1886 


4 
5 

12 
12 
11 
7 
8 
7 
7 
9 
9 




1887 




1888 ... 






4 
3 
3 


1890 

1891 


1892 


1893 

1894 

1895 


3 
3 
3 
3 


1896 

1897 



The number of salmon canneries in operation in 1897 was 29, divided as follows among the 
difi'erent districts: Southeast Alaska, 9; Prince William Sound and Copper Eiver, 2; Cook Inlet, 
1; Kadiak and Chiguik, 10, and Bering Sea, 7. lu the previous year, also, 29 canneries were 
operated, 9 being in southeast Alaska, 3 on Prince William Sound and Copper liiver, 1 ou Cook 
Inlet, 8 at Kadiak and Chignik, and 8 in Bering Sea. 

The number of persons employed in the Alaskan salmon-canning business in 1S97 was 5,252. Of 
these, 1,148 were white fishermen, 759 native fishermen, 312 white cannery employes, 439 native 
cannery hands, 2,208 Chinese cannery hands, and 326 hatchery men, crews of cannery launches 
and other vessels, and various other employees. The persons employed in various capacities in 
each district numbered as follows: Southeast Alaska, 1,829; Prince William Sound and Copper 
River, 304; Cook Inlet, 173; Kadiak and Chignik, 1,577, and Bering Sea, 1,399. 

The amount of invested capital rei^resented by the Alaskan salmon industry is very large. 
The value of the vessels, boats, fishing gear, buildings, machinery, etc., including the canneries 
not operated but held in reserve, aggregated approximately $3,023,200 in 1S97, apportioned as 
follows among the different districts: Southeast Alaska, $597,400; Prince William Sound and Cop- 
per Eiver, $203,.")00; Cook Inlet, $154,300; Kadiak and Chignik, $1,741,000, and Bering Sea, $867,000. 
By far the largest item in the investment was the cannery buildings and equipment, which had a 
value of $2,030,800. The other leading items were vessels and boats, $830,100; 544 gill nets, 
$09,470; 48 traps, $48,050, and 133 seines, $38,680. 



THK SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
Table alioiring the output of the salmon canneries of Alaska from 1S7S to 1S97 



f)! 



Name of company nod location of cannerj'. 



SOUTHEAST ALASKA. 

Capp Fox l^ackinff Co.. north shore Boca dc Quadra 

North r.Tciftc Trading and Packing Co., Klawak, Prince of Wales Island . 

Cutting Packing Co., Old Sitka, Bar:uiof Island 

Chilkat Packing Co.. east shore Chilkat Inlet 

Northwest Trading Co., Pjraniid Harbor, Chilkat Inlet 

Totals of annual packs in southeast Alaska 

COOK INLET. 

Ahuska r.ackiug Co., Kussilof Eiver, Cook Inlet 

KADIAK ANI> CHIGNIK. 

Karliik Packing Co., Karliik, Kadiak Island 

BERING SEA. 

Arctic Packing Co., Nnshagak Eiver, Bristol Bay 



Name of company and location of cannery. 



1880. . 1887. 



Canes. 1 Cages. 
Packs unknown. 
8, 240 0, 180 



14,818 
13, 479 



21,141 
20, 136 



SOUTHEAST ALASKA. 

Cape Fox Packing Co., north shore Boca de Quadra 

Tongass Packing Co., Ketchikan, Tongass Narrows 

Metlakahtta Industrial Co., Metlakahtla, Annette Island 

Alaska Salmon Packing and Fur Co., Loring, Naha Bay 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co., Yes or McDonald Bay 

Cape I.ees Pat-king Co., Burroughs Bay, Behm Canal 

Aberdeen Packing Co., Stikine Ki ver .' 

Glacier Packing Co., Point Hightield, TV rangell Island 

North Pacitic Trading and Packing Co., Klawak, Prince of Wales Island. 

Baranotf Packing Co., Kedoubt. Baranof Island 

Baranotf Packing Co.. Kedfish Bay. Baranof Lsland 

Astoria and Alaska Packing Co., Freshwater Bay, Chichagof Island 

Astoria and Alaska Packing Co., Point Ellis, Kuiu Island 

Bartlett Bay Packing Co., Bartlett Bay, Icy Straits 

Chilkat Packing Co., east shore Chilkat Inlet 

Chilkat Canning Co., Chilkat Village, Chilkat Inlet 

Nortliwest TYauing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat Inlet 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat Inlet 



Cases. I Cases. \ Cases. [ Gases. 
Packs unknown. /New company 
....| \5,500 11, 000 



Totals of annual packs in southeast Alaska 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AND COPPER RIVER. 



Central Alaska Co., Little Kayak Island, Gulf of Alaska 

Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co., Little Kayak Island, Gulf of Alas 
IVninsula Trading and Fishing Co.,Coquenbena, Copper Kiver Delta. 

Pacific Packing Co., Odiak, Prince William Sound 

Pacitic Steam Whaling Co., Odiak, Prince William Sound 

Tot.als of annual packs in Prince William Sound and Copper Pji 

COOK INLET. 

Northern Packing Co.,Kenai i 

George W. Hume, Kussilof Kiver 

Alaska Packing Co., Kussilof River 

Arctic Fishing Co., Kussilof River 

Totals of annual packs in Cook Inlet 



KADIAK AND CHIGNIK. 



Kodiak Packing Co., K-irluk, Kadiak Island 

Hume Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

.\leutian Islands Fishing and Mining Co., Kivrluk, Kadiak Island.. 

Ivarluk Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

Alaska Improvement Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay, Kadiak Island 

Kndiak I*acking Co., Alitak Baj', Kadiak Island 

Ar<-tic I'acking Co., Larsen Cove, UyakBa}- 

Kiiyal Packing Co., Afognak Island 

Russian-American Packing Co., Afoguak Island 

Chignik Bay Co., ChignikBay, Alaska Peninsula 

Shuinagin I*acking^ Co., Chignik Bay, Alaska Peninsula 

Chignik Bay Packing Co., Chignik Bay, Alaska Peninsula 

Western Alaska Packing Co., Ozernoi, Stepovak Bay, Alaska Penii 

Thin Point Packing Co., Thin Point, Alaska Peninsula 

Central Alaska Co., Thin Point, Alaska Peninsula 



3,400 
7, 8(>0 9, 582 



33, 470 46, 150 



Totals of annual packs in Kadiak and Chignik 33,470 

BERING SEA. 

Arctic Packing Co., Nu8hag.ak River. Bristol Bay 14,000 

Alaska I*acking Co., Nnshagak River, Bristol Bay 

Bristol B.ly Canning Co., Nnshagak River, Bristol Bay 

Nnshagak Packing Co., Nusha^k River, Bristol Bay? | 

Bering Sea Packing Co., Ugashik River. Bnstol Bay 



Totals of annual packs in Bering Sea 14,000 



19, 000 
16, 500 
13, 322 



48, 822 



24, 000 
27, 500 
21, 200 



13, 000 



Burnt, Aug., 1889. 



28, 862 

4,500 
10, 574 

Moved : 
13,800 I 
11,370 

4,454 



23 


500 
024 


J. 


000 
786 


9 


343 


17 


36.'> 


10 


823 . 







14, 600 
10, 188 
10, 123 



4,300 
13,500 
19, 000 



Moved to Thin Point 



25, 000 
19,000 
30,000 
15, 886 



30, 287 
28, OOU 
53, 551 
02, 057 
25, 600 
13. 850 
12, 535 
44, 200 
10,412 
25. 500 
21, 500 
11, 200 
10, 500 
6,400 
25, 161 



25, 000 
30, 000 
33, 221 
27,704 



72,700 80,886 I 115,985 



15, 870 

9,256 

Moved. 

7,949 



16,200 
7,600 
13, 369 
20, 914 



43, 060 
37,613 
40, 335 
40,306 
"26, 000 
17, 8001 
16, 347/ 
37. 600 
9,926 
26, 500 
14,465 
■I 14, 4.'i5 
II 14,455 
2,198 
2,401 
7,000 



19, 157 
58, 997 



41,000 
36, 247 
"39,312 
66, 483 
26, 000 
26, 600 
(') 

»41,000 

(') 

'" 2.1, 000 

24, 730 

" 24, 832 

"24,780 

Aband'd. 

4,206 



33, 000 
31, POO 
30. 400 
23,990 



' Machinery moved: site abandoned. 

^ The records for the southeast .\laska 
1886, and 1889 lack the jiack of one suia 
of which i-an not he ascertained. 

^K\periinental pack. 

* Burnt and rehuilt in spring. 

* Vessel lost: closed. 



district for 1883, 1884, 1885, 
, cannery .ach, the output 



•jPacketl in cannery of Hume Packing Co. at Karluk 
' Consolidated with the Arctic Packing Coiiijiii 
s Packed in cannery of Kodiak Pai-kini; Coiiip; 
i^The quota of fish for the Royal l';i.kini; r. 
as packed by the Karluk l*ackiiig rniiiii.un at 
'« Packed in cannery of Alaska Inii.mx cniciil i 
" Packed in cuuuery of Chignik Bay Compaiii' 



at Karluk. 

iiiuv at Afogn 

rhik. 

ipaiiy .'It Karlu 



52 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH ('O.MMISSION. 

Table ahowintj the output of the Kalmoii rfiiiiicricv o/ Mania from 1S7S to WOr— Contiiuicil. 



niian^' autl location of cannery. 



Quailra Piirkinj; Co., Mink Bay, Boca ilo Quadra 

Metliikablla Indiistri.al Co., Metlakalitla, Annette Lslaml 

I'a.itic Steam Whaling Co., Hiiiit«r Bay, Prince of Wales Isl.and 

Alaska Salmon Packing and l-'ur Co.. Loring, Naba Bay 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co., Tea or McDonald Bay 

(;ai)e Lees Packing Co., Burrouglis Bay, Belini Canal 

ii lacier Packing Co., Point Higlifield, \Vrangell Island 

North Pacific Trading and Packing Co., Klawak, I'rince of Wales Island . 

Barannff Packing Co., K.-fifish liiiv. Unnin.if IsLand 

Astoria and Alaska Park iim c. Vcim Kills, Kniu Island 

Bartlett Bay Packing C(. i;;,iil. ii l;a^, J. v straits 

Cliilkat Packing Co., la,.! ,..li,.i.- ( hilk.it lul.t 

Cliilkat Canning Co., Cliilkiit \ illagc, Cliilkat Inlet 



11,125 



Totals of annu.'il packs 



ntbcast Alaska '. 115, 722 



I'KINCK WILLIAM ^OUND AND COPPER KIVER. 

Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co.. Coqucnhena. Copper Iliver Delta I Closed. 

Pacitic Packing^Co , Odiak, Prince William Sound I Closed. 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Odiak, Prince William Sonml I Closed. 

Pacitic Steam Whaling Co., Orca, Prince William Sound ' 



Tot.ilsof annual packs in Pi 



COOK INLET 



Northern Packing Co., Kenai -. Closed. 

I'acitic Steam Whaling Co.,Kenai ' , 

George W. Hume, Kussilof Iliver I 20, 741 

Arctic Fishing Co., Kussilof IJiver Closed. 



Totals of annu.al packs in Cook Inlet . 



Kodi.-ik Packing Co., Karluk, Xadiak Island j Clo.sed. 

Aleutian Islands Fishing and Mining Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island f Consol. 

Hume Aleutian Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island \ 76,233 

Karluk Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 75,416 

Alaska Improvement Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island I 52, 098 

Hume Canning and Trading Co., Tanglefoot Bay, near Karluk 

Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay, Kadiak Island i 21,077 

Kodiak Packing Co., AlitakBay, Kadiak Island 



I'acific Steam Whaling Co., I'yak Anchorage, Kadiak Island 

HiimeBros. & Hume, Dyak Anchorage, Kadiak Island 

Arctic Packing Co., Larsen Cove, Uyak Bay I Closed. 



1893. 1894. 



Cases. 
12,566 



25, 153 
15, 11-2 
Closed. 
22, 728 
12, 595 
9,889 



189S. 1896. 



Ui.smantled. 
25,250 I 27.410 
14,455 ■ 12.228 
11,189 I 14.805 



Closed. I Dismantled. 



15, 270 
28, 999 
32, 729 



15.000 
28,378 
35, 285 



Closed, i Closed. 



30, 138 



69, 959 
59, 220 
43,076 
15, 429 
25, 777 

Mach. 

moved. 



Closed. 



79, 000 
79, 000 
54, 300 
26, 984 



CasfS. 
8, DUO 
17,650 
27, 442 
61,407 
24, 100 



Cases, 
24, 500 
15, 490 
34,388 
U2. 040 
22, 300 



44,233 
10, 675 
15, 358 



45.918 
15, 705 
14,070 



Closed. Closed. 
35, 373 47, 456 



148,476 I 262,381 



15,000 I 20,672 
21,453 ! 39,873 

f Moved. I 

I 23,041 32,321 



Closed. Closed. 



30, 1S8 ( 34, 767 



36,188 I 34,767 



Closed. 



47, 500 

48, 379 
35, 700 
15, 277 
15, 331 



Closed. Closed. 



Uganuk Fishing .Station, Uganiik Bay. Kadiak Island 

Royal Packing Co.., Afognak Island .". (Closed; inoperative by President's 

;< proclamation creating* a Fish Com- 

Bnssian-Anu-ri :iii I '.n i, mil ' o., Afogn.ak Island il mission reservation. 

CIiignikBavt _ 1 1 ..v, Alaska Peninsula / 49,9311 57, 553 1 55, 352 I 70,050 

Sbnmaginl'ai I ^ i uikBav, Alaska Peninsula IConsoI. ' 

ChignikBay I'.M I 11,^ ( . , I liignikBay, AlaskaPeninsula Closed. Closed.! Closed. Closed. 

Hume Bros. & Hiiiiic, Cblgnik Bay, Alaska Peninsula 

Pacific Steam Wlialing Co., Cbignik Bay, Alaska Peninsula , 

Tliin Point Packiyg Co., Thin Point, Alaska l^eninsula Closed, j Closed. I Disman. 

Central Alaska Co., Tliin Point, Ala.ska Peninsula Closed.! Closed. Closed. Disman. 



Totals 



al packs ill Kadiak and Chi 



274,755 291,152 1 322,356 232,237 



ItEKING SE 



Arctic Packing Co., Nushagak Iliver, Bristol Bay I Closed. 

Alaska Packing Co., Nushagak Iliver, Bristid Bay 31, 859 

Bristol Bay Canning Co., Nushagak Kiver, Bristol Bay 31.640 

Nushagak Packing Co., Nushagak River, Bristol Bay Closed. 

Point Roberts Packing Co., Kvichak Iliver, Bristol Bav ' 

Arctic Packing Co., Naknek River, Bristol Bay ." , 

Naknek Packing Co., Naknek River, Bristol Bay , 

Bering Sea Packing Co., Kgaahik River, Bristol Bay Closed. 

Vgashik Fishing Station, Ugasbik River, Bristol Bay 



Totals of annual packs in Bering Sea 63,499 



35, 848 
37, 188 
34, 750 
Closed. 



30,413 

30, 038 

30, 999 

Closed. 



33, 631 

34, 632 
33, 434 

Closed. 

'22,731 
13, 700 
12, 007 



Closed. 



Closed. 



70, 320 
68, 495 
87,613 
Closed. 
23,155 



49, 633 
84, 777 
49, 852 
Closed. 
37, 401 



Mach. 
moved. 
21,005 
I Mach. 
\ moved. 
Disman. 
48, 361 



Closed. 
17, 893 
21, 515 



Closed . 
12, 000 
24,000 



35. 676 
39.115 
38, 314 
Closed. 
29, 730 
27, 133 
8.600 
20, 004 
19, 764 



37, 849 
34,117 

Closed. 
55, 508 
34. 676 
18, 000 

Closed. 
38, 272 



218,336 



' Burnt May 1. 



3 Consolidated with the Arctic Fishing Com]>any. 



IIIK SALMON AND SALMOX FISHKKIKS OF ALASKA. 



53 



Siimmaiii shoiriiiii oiitpiif of Alankan salmou-pavking companies since onjauizatioti, Im/etlier with their oiniirsliip in 1897. 



iipaiiy ami I'tcati- 



Total ( 

put sii 



SOUTHEAST ALASKA. 

, Hi.ia (le Qiiailr 



iilni I'a.kiiiL' <■' 



ll.tliiK.ilill.i Iii 



sland. 



1 \VbaliTi"Cu., ri 



DefuDf t . 
Sauie Co . 
Delniiit . 
Same Co . 



Alaska Salmon Packiuf; aud Fur Co., Xalia 

Bay. 
lioaloii risliin"rauil Trading Co.. Ves lia.v.. 

i'Alix' Lfes Tat: King Co., Bnrrougli.s Bay 

Alifi<leei. Packing Co., Stikine Hiver" ' 

ClaciiT I'a, king Co..Wiangell Island 

North J'acilic Trading and Packing Co.. ' 



, Hedouljt, Baraii 
Kfrtti.sU Bay. liai 



Kla' 
Baranort' Packing (.'<» 

Island. 
Barauolt" Packing Co. 

not' Island. 
Cutting Packing Co., Old Sitka, Baranof 

Island. 
Astoria and Alaska Packing Co. .(Miicliagof 

Island. 
Astoriaand Alaska Packing Co., Ivniu Isl'd. 

Bartlelt Bay Packing Co., Barllett Bay 

Chilkat Packing Co.. Cliilkat Inlet..." 

Chilkat Canning Co., Cliilkat Inlet 

Northwest Trading Co., Chilkat Inlet 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co., Chilkat Inlet, 



Tot;d 

PKINCE WILLIAM SOUND AND COPPER KIVER. 

Central Alaska Co., Little Ka.yak Island. .. 
Peninsula Trading and J'ishiiig Co., Little 

Kayak Island. 
Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co.. Co- 

qneulu-na. 

Pacific Packing Co.,Odiak 

Pacitii^ Steam Whaling Co.. Odiak 

Pacitic Steam Whaling Co., Orca 



Same Co . . . . 

Deluiict . . . . 

Defunct 

Defunct .... 

do 

A. P. A 



32. .WO 
29, 500 
911, -lai 
61, 83U 

322, 972 

132.544 
27, 129 
17, 400 
209, 821 
204, 364 

14,577 



24,200 
23.900 
GO, 909 

101,332 
23, 400 i 

204,998 



KADIAK AND CHIBNIK. 

Kodiak Packing Co., Karluk 

Hume Packing Co., Karluk 

Aleutian Islands Fishing and ilining 
Co., Karluk. 

Hume-Aleutian Packing Co., Karluk . 

Karluk Packing Co., Karluk 

Alaska Improvement Co., Karluk 

Hume Canning and Trading Co., Tan- 
glefoot Bay, near Karluk. 

Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay 

Kodiak Packing Co., Alitak H.iy 

Pacitic Steam NVhaliug Co.. Uyak An- 



A. P. A . 
Defunct 
Deliiiict 



Hu 



& Hu 



ak Anchor 



Arctic Packing Co., Larsen Cove 

Uganuk Fishing Station, Uganuk Bay. 

Royal Packing Co., Afognak Island 

Kussian-American Packing Co., Afog- 
nak Island. 

ChiL'nik !!;iv l'„ ClM-nilr li:iv 



Bay. 
Wesiei 

SlelH 
Thin P( 



A. P. A 



Defunct - 
.V. P. A . . 
Same Co . 
do... 



Alaska Packii 



Total ont- 
piit since 



Canes. 
170,631 
101,860 



382, 643 
844, 642 
400, 239 
57, 690 

208,711 
28, 882 
17, 000 



160, 300 
23, 118 
26, 338 
77, 000 

380, 091 
50, 487 
49, 735 
29, 893 
45,515 

8,598 



'1,739,832 I Central Alaska Co., Thii 



; Co., Thin Point .-.' do . 



A.P. A .--. 
Defun<a . . . 
Same Co . . . 



Total. 



COOK INLET. 



kiiii; 



Nort'iern 
Pacitic Steam \\ 
George W. Hun 
Alaska Packing 
Arctic Fishing I 



A.P.A 

Same Co 

Defunct .'..'. 
A.P.A 



187,993 
120, 089 
84, 118 



55, 077 
42, 003 
327, 994 



T»t:il 3,286,505 



Total 



HEItlNG SEA. 

Arctic Packing Co., Nushagak River . . 
Alaska Packing Co , Nushagak River . . 
Bristol Bay Canning Co., Nushagak 

Nushagak P.-icking Co.. Nushagak 

Kive?. 
Point Roberts Packing Co., Kvichak 

River. 

Arctic Packing Co., Naknek Kiver 

Naknek Packing Co.. Naknek River 

BeringSea PackingCo.. Ugashik River. 
Ugashik Fishing St,ition Ugashik 



342, 741 
365, 758 
368, 497 



84, 540 
40, 300 
53, 400 

58, 036 



Total 

Grand total 



1, 496, 513 
7,508^358 



utheast Alaska district for 1883. 1884, 18K5, 1880, and 18S9 lack the paik of on 



all canner.v each, the output of 



Aiiiiiiul per cent raliie of liiltii sain 



pack- {catnied) of JUifku for each district, from beyinnini/ nf niniiiiiij opcraticiis, 
1S7S, to close of season o( 1S97. 



Soutbeai=t Alaska. 



1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
1K84 




Kadiak aud Chiguik. 



Kadiak 

and 
Afognak 
islands. 



34.7 


33.1 


24.8 


43.2 


20.1 


32.6 


14.9 


34.7 


10.3 


48.2 


7.1 


43.7 


4.2 


43.3 


7.4 


37. 7 


4.3 


47.4 


4.9 


36.3 


5 


38.9 


5.7 


25.9 


3.6 


28 



erage lor 20 years 



29 


33.1 


0.7 


43.2 


18 


32.6 


34.5 


34.7 


35.2 


48.2 


21.8 


54.2 


16.2 


51.3 


17.4 


48 


16.6 


57.9 


13.4 


45.2 1 


16.8 


47 


15.8 


37.1 


23.9 


37.1 


22.6 


32.8 


28 



54 



liULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Table showing the salmon pack of the Alaska canneries for 1S96. 



Quadra Packing Co., Mink Buy. Boca de Quadra 

Metlakahtla Industrial t'u., Metlakahtla, Aunitle Island. 
Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Hunter Ba,y, Prince of Wales 

Island. 
Alaska Salmon Packing' and Fur Co., Loring, N' aha Bay ., 
Boston FishiiiK and Trading Co., Tes or McDonald Bay... 

Glacier Packing Co.. Point Higlifleld. Wrangell Island 

North I'aiifi.- Trading and Packing Co., Klawak. Prince 

of Wales l.sl:iiMl, 

Baranoll Packing Cii., iiedfish Bay, Baranof Lsland 

Pyramid Harlic.r I'acking Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat 

Inlet. 
Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co., Coquenhena, Copper 

Kiver Delta. 

Pacific Packing Co.. (1di.ak. Prince William .Sound 

Pacific Steam Wlialini Co., Ona. Prince William Sound... 

Arctic Fiahingru., Knssilof llivcr, c'....k Inl.l 

Hume-\lenliaii I'a. king C..., Kailiik. Ka.iiak Island 

Karluk Pa.-king ('..., Karluk. Kad.ak Island 

Alaska lTii|.r,p\cnicnl C.,., Karluk, Ka.liak Lsland 

Arctic I'ackuig C..,, .Milak Hav, Kadlak Island 

Ugannk Fisliirii; Sl.iti.ai. l^anuk liav, Kailiak Island.. . . 

Chiguik Bay Co., CliigniU L.'igoon, Cliignik B.ay. 

Hume Bros. A: Uume, Anchorage Bay, Chiguik Bay 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Anchorage Bay. Chignik Bay, 

Arctic Packing Co., Nushagak Ptvht- P.cfiii-.; Sea.. 

Alaska Packing Co., Nushagak l:;>rr M-tinuSea . 

Bristol Bay Canning Co., Nuftii.i- i i i I'tingSea 

Point Roberts Packing Co., K\i' 11 . 1. ;;,.m i:cringSea 

Arctic Packing Co., Naknek Jijvei, l;tii in^; Sea 

Naknek Packing Co.. Naknek liiver, Bering Sea , 

Bering Sea Packing Co., U^ashik Kiver, Bering Sea 

Ugashik Fishing Station, L gashik Kiver, Bering Sea , 



Daily 
capac- 

't,V 
(cases). 



1,500 
1,500 
1,500 
C.OOO 
2,600 
1,500 
1,500 
1,400 



2,000 
2, 000 
2,000 
1.800 
1, 500 
1.200 j 
1,800 



Num- 


Aver- 


ber of 


nuniber 


mcked. 


per 


8,000 




8,730 


12 


15, :i86 


10.3 


19,621 


11 


7, 000 


9 


12, 584 


9.88 


14, 089 


13 


9,338 


U 


44, 044 


10.3 


20, 558 


10 


29,500 


. 9.6 


23,445 


a. 5 


23, 367 


i:i. 2 


70, 320 


12 


68, 495 


12 


87, 613 


12 


23, 155 


13 


21, 005 


10 t 


45, 281 


10 


17, 643 


10 


18, 500 


10 , 



Com- 
lueuced 
packing. 



July 1 
July 10 

June 19 
July 11 
June 22 
June 19 



May 10 
May 15 
May 25 



Finished 
packing. 



Sept. 5 
Sept. 20 

Aug. 31 
Aug. 25 
Aug. 31 
Aug. 23 



July 25 

Aug. 30 
July 31 
Aug. 14 
Sept. 18 
Sept. 18 
Sept. 15 
Aug. 28 
July 26 
Aug. 25 



Num- 
ber of 
cases 
packed. 



Com- Fin- 
nienced ished 
packing. Ipacking. 



Aug. i 
Aug. 1 

Aug. 5 
Aug. 20 



Sept. io 

Sept. 26 

Sept. IS 
Sept. 15 



Aug. au oept. 13 
July 1 } Sept. 16 
Aug. 15 Sei)t. 25 

Aug. 15 I Sept. 21 
Aug. 28 ' Sept. 12 



Aug. 9 
Aug. 13 
July 20 



Aug. 27 
Sept. 14 
Aug. 14 



Aug. 18 I Sept. 
Scattering Ihrou; 



July 18 I Aug. 15 



>No data for 1896. 



and location of cannery. 



ber of 

cases 
packed. 



Metlakahtla Imlustrial Co., Metl.akahtla, Annette Island.. 
Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Hunter Bay, Priiure of Wales 

Island. 
Alaska Salmon Packing and Fur Co., Loring, Naha Bay. - . 
Boston Fishing and Trading Co., Tes or McDonald Bay... 

Glacier Packing Co., Point Highfield. Wrangell Island 

North Pacific Trading and Packing Co., Klawak, Prince of 

Wales Island. 

Barauort' Packing Co., Redfish Bay, Baranof Island 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat 

"Inlet. 
Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co., Coquenhena, Copper 

Kiver Delta. 

Pacific r.<. kiTc; r„.0,V,:,\. r,il,rr Will 



38, 365 
15, 000 
19. 652 



W I 



William Sound .. 

"iilv Inlel 

1-nik l;ay 

Hume Bros. & Hume. Ancliorage Bay, Chiguik Bay 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Anchorage Bay, Chiguik Bay. 



Pacific 
Arctic 1 I 
Chignik 



9, 940 
4,855 
2, 100 



umber 
per 



20 to 21 
16 
18.4 



Com- 
menced 
packing. 



July 21 
July 21 

July 18 
Aug. 5 
July 1 
July 24 

July 19 



July 
July 
July 
Aug. 
July ' 
July : 



Finished 
packing. 



Aug. 
Aug. 



Sept. 
Aug. 



King and dog salmon. 



Number of 
cases packed. 



number 
per 



Dog, 
King, 



Com- 
menced 
packing. 



July 18 
Mav 15 



Finishe<l 
packing. 



Aug. 6 
June 22 



Aug. 
July 
Aug. 
.Sept. 
Aug. 
Aug. 



King,- 
King, 



King, 
King," 



May 25 
May 20 
May 6 



May 25 1 July 25 



' Humpback and dog salmon. 



THE S.'VL.MOX .\M) S.\L.MON FISIIKKIES OK ALASKA. 



55 



Table showing the sal iiion })ack of the Alaska < 



y'lesfur 1S07. 





Daily 
capac- 
ity 

(cases) . 


Redfish. 


Cohoes. 


^^" '^ |.any„n.ll„eu(i f.. .,y. 


Num- 
ber of 
cases 
packed. 


Aver- 
age 
number 

per 


Com- 
■ mencod 
packing. 


F 
1' 


inished 
ackiug. 


Num- 
ber of 
cases 
packed. 


Aver- 
age 
number 
per 
case. 


Cora- 
mcnced 
packing. 


Finished 
packing. 




500 
600 
800 

1,800 
800 

1,,-.(I0 
500 

500 
1,600 

1, 51)0 
1,500 
1,500 
2,600 

2, 600 

1, ;m 

1,500 
' 800 

800 
1,400 
2,000 
800 
800 
2,000 
2,000 
2, 000 
2,000 
1,800 
1,500 
1,800 


7,500 
7, 090 
13, 162 

10, 470 
6,754 
7,428 
9,520 

4,058 
31,241 

13,315 
21,927 
24, 701 
49, 633 

54. 777 
49, 852 

37, 401 
17,000 

13, 375 
2,113 
36, 831 
12, 000 
23, 500 

Us, 791 

55, 382 
34, 496 

18,000 

38, 261 








3,000 

840 

5,300 

2,306 
1,644 
8,620 
1,995 

1,576 
1,488 








Metlakabtia Inilnulri.al Co., Metlakalitla, Annette Island .. 
Pacific Steam Wlialing to.,Uunter Bay, Prince of Wales 

Liland. 
Alaska Salmon Parking anil Fur Co., Loring. Nalia liay... 
Bostim Fisliing and Trading Co., Yes ur McDonald Jiay . . . 
Glacier I'.ackingCo., Point Highfield, Wrangcll I.sland .... 
Nonli J'arilic- Trading and Paiking Co., Klawak, Prince of 

Wales Island. 

Baranotf I'acking Co.,RedBsli Bay, Barani.f Island 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat 

Inlet. 


"13" 

11.5 

9 

9.5 
13 

11 
10.3 

12.7 
9.5 
14. 1 
11.9 
11.9 
11.9 
13.7 
12 

12.7 

10 

12.4 

12 

12 

14 

12.4 
12.4 

12 
12 


July 8 

June 25 
July 12 
June 25 
Juno 26 

June 27 
Juno 25 

May 6 
May 13 
May 25 
June 16 
June 3 
June 12 
Juno 9 
July 3 

June 14 
June 10 
June 8 
June 12 
Juno 9 

June 23 

June 23 


Sept. 2 
Sept. 25 

Sept. 2 
Sept. 4 
A ug. 6 
Aug. 31 

Aug. 28 
Sept. 13 

Aug. 10 
July 31 
Aug. 12 
Sept. 20 
Oct. 9 
Si-pt. 21 
Aug. 29 
Sept. 13 

Sept. 15 
July 13 
Aug. 27 
Aug. 12 
Aug. 15 

July 20 

July 20 


""7"' 

8.5 
6 

8.8 
8 to 9 

5 
7.5 


July 20 
Aug. 16 

Aug. 8 
Aug. 16 
July 7 
Aug. 18 

Aug. 21 
Aug. 29 


Sept. 2 
Sept. 25 

Sept. 20 
Sept. 12 
Sept. 15 
Sept. 20 

Sept. 14 
Sept. 13 


Pacific Steam Whaling Co., On^a, Prince William Sound . . 


3.414 
2,313 


7.5 
12.1 


Aug. 12 
July 20 


Sept. 12 
Aug. 12 


Hniiic' \:. ;iil ,;, r,i. ling Co., Karluk,Kadiak Island 
















Arch. I',,ri.;;,^( <. AlitakBay,Kadiak Island 










Island. ^ ' y 
Hume Bros. & Hume, Uyak Anchorage, Kadiak Island .... 




















Chignik Bay Co., Chignik Lagoon, Cliiguik Bay 


942 


U 


Aug. 1 


Aug. 27 


Paiiflc Steam Wlialiug Co., Anchorage Bay, Chignik Bay. . 










Arctic Packing C...,^UHl,af;;,kl:iveT..... ......*. 

Ala.sk.ir,,. Kirml-o \n,l,;,^,,l, l;i-.r.. 


10,119 




Aug. 1 


Aug. 7 


Point I; IIS I'.M 1 iiij 1 .. k- 1, i,,,k Uiver, Bering Sea. .. . 




Arctic I'a. 1, Ml ■ 1 i. \ ikii. k lui.'i ];ering Sea 










Naknek I'liikiiig Co., .Naknck iMver, Bering Sea 


June 30 


Aug. 1 










Ugashik Fishiug Station, Ugashik Kiver, Boring Sea 
















43, 557 










688,581 








Humpbacks. 


King and dog salmon. 


Xame ofcoiniwuv and hication of cannery. 


Num. 
ber of 
cases 
packed 


Aver. 

age 

number 

per 


packing. ; i"""'"'^- 


Number of 
cases packed. 


Aver- 
age Corn- 
number menced 
per packing, 
case. 


Finished 
packing. 




14, 000 
7,200 

15, 926 

49, 264 
12, 806 
28, 624 
4,190 

8,436 










1 


iletlakahtla Industrial Co., M^etlakahtla, Annette Island .. 
Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Hunter Bay, Prince of Wales 


19 

23 
15 

23.1 
22 


July 20 

July 6 

July 9 
July 12 
July 12 
July 26 

Jiilv 19 


Aug. 20 

Aug. 31 

Aug. 28 
Seiit. 
Aug. 18 
Aug. 22 

Sept. 1 


'300 


Scattering through 


Island. ' 
Alaskii <iliiiM,, I' ,, Km.' :iimI 1 .11 1 ... I.oring. JfahaBay.... 








Boston 1 liM_ ,1.1 hi.ki^i.. \ 1^ ur McDonald Bay.... 
Gla'n.rk _'., i ll_ i,M Wrangell Island ... . 
Nnrlli I'.ii ,! . 1 Mini. ,1 .1 I'.ii I. (T,^ I'll., Klawak, Prince of 
Wales Island. 


Dog, 1, 096 
King, 1, 246 


1 July 17 
3.9 1 May 15 




Aug. 7 
June 23 


P.vramid Harbor Packing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat 
Inlet. 

Pacilic Packing Co.. Odiak, Piinco William Sound 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Orca, Prince William Sound .. . 




King, 4,727 
King, 202 




9,784 
3,415 


24.5 
18.7 


July 5 
July 9 


Aug. 8 
Aug. 5 


4. 8 May 6 


June 13 




King, 5,518 


2.5 1 May 26 


July 2.7 




••'383 

500 

3,123 


15 
20 


July 31 
July 20 


Aug. 25 
Au'>. 15 


I'aciflc .steam Whaling Co., Anchorage Bay, Chignik Bay.. 








Scattering through 


King, 5, 823 

King, 126 
King, 180 
King, 11 


3 
2.7 


June 7 
Juno 7 




Point Roberts Packing Co., Kvichak River, Boring Sea ... . 


Juno 23 
























1 


















157,711 










319,229 









'Humpback and dog salmou. 



^Includes dug salmon. 



56 



HFLLKTIN OF 'I'llK TNITKI) STATKS FISH COJnriSSION. 



Tahle sJioiiiini Hit valnr nf plaiitH, flit: emiiluijcex, mid JialiiiKj aiqiaralii» of Ike Alaska galinoii canneries for 1896. 



(Quadra Packinc Co.. Mink J5av. lioca do Quadra 

MetlakalitlaInduslrialCo.,Metlakabtla, Port Chester, Annette l-sland. 

Paiitic: Steam Whaling Co., Hunter Bay, Priuce of Wales Island 

Alaska Salmon Packijig and Fur Co., Loring. Naha Bay 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co., Tes or McDonald Bay 

Glacier Packing Co., Point Highfield, WrangcU Island" 

^ro..Kla 



!ik. Prince of Wales Island . 



Island 

"1-, Chilkat Inlet 

"•iia. Copper River Bella. 



ok Inlet . 



I Sound . 



North Pacific Tradingand I'aiki 

Baranoif Packing Co.. Ki 'Ili-Ii 
Pyramid HarhorPaekin- ' <> , 1 
Peninsula Trading anil I- islnn- 
Pacitic Packing Co., Odiak, J'ri 
Pacific Sleam Whaling Co., On 
Arctic Fishing Co., Kussilof l< 

Hume- Aleutian Packing Co., Karl iik , Kad iak Islanil 

Karlnk Packing Co., Karliik. Kndiak Island 

Alaska Improvement Co., Kai'luk. Kad iak Island 

Arctic Packing Co., Alitak l'.a\ , K^idiak Island 

Uganuk Fishing Station. rj;aniik Hay, Kadiak Island 

Chiguik Jiay Co., Chigiiik Lagiiim. Chignik Bay, Alaska Penin 

Hunte Bros. &. Hume, Anchorage I5ay. (chignik Bay 

Paciiic Steam Whaling Co., Anchorage Bay, Chignik Bay 



Value o 
plant. 



Other employees. 



"White. Native. White. Native. Chinese. 



CO 


200 


40 




64 




60 




35 




GO 


18 


25 




20 




73 




40 





30 





i'^ 








8 


20 


00 
16 


'100 




10 


12 


IS 


16 
20 
15 


33 



Ifame of company. 



j Gill nets and traps — ninuher, dimensions, and value. 



Seines— numher, dimensions, and value. 



(Juadra Packing Co 

Metlakahtla Industrial Co 

I'.-iciflcSteamWhalingCo., Hunter \ 

Bay. |- 

AlaskaSalmonPackingandFurCo .. 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co 



Xorth Pacific Tr 

ing Co. 
Baranotr Packing 



14 gill nets, 230 fras., M-inch mesh. 24 meshes deep ; 

40 cents per fm. 
14 gill nets. 200 fms., CJ-inch mesh, 20 meshes deep ; 

40 cents per fm. 
1 experimental trap; .$1,0U0 



(No data.) 
79 drag seines, 100 fathoms long; $200 each. 
\2 purse seines, 120 fms. long; $350 each. 
(9 drag semes, average 75 fms. long; $1.25 per fm. 
< 1 purse seine, 175 fms. long. 12 fms. deep : $522. 
[U purse seine, 175 fms. long, 7 fms. deep; $300. 

21 drag seines. 75 to 250 fms. long; $1.50 per fm. 
'f4dragseines, 80 to 140 fms., 3-inch mesh; $1.50 per fm. 
U purse seiue, 220 fms. by 30 fms., 3-inch mesh ; »800. 



uid Harbor Vi 



12 gill nets, 200 fins, hy 16 feet, 8»-incli mesh; 65 

cents per fm. 
46 gill nets, 300 fms. by 10 feet, CJ-iueh mesh; 05 

cents per fm. 

Peninsul-i Tndin>f and Fisl.in" Co L'^" 8'" °®"'' ""' *"""•• -"• meshes deep; $1 per fm . . . 
1 eninsul.i Irading "im ^ isi"n„ Co. j^ gj,, j^^,^^ 200 fms., 30 meshes deep ; $1 per fm . . . 

" " gillnetstSDIms.perset. Mesh. 6J-ini'h for 



eking C( 
Piieifie Steam Wlial 



; Co.,()ria ., 30 > 



( ' deep ;'tl per tm! 

115 gill n-Jts,50 1ms. long, 9J-ineh mesh, 22 meshes 
) deep; $1 per fm. 

8 traps, 30 to 50 foot pots; 300 to 700 fool leaders; 
[ $300 to $1, .500 each. 



71 »o:[ting trap :it Tgaunk ; leade 
;\ ft. by 200 It., 3J-iuch njcsh ; $!, 



Antic leaking ro.,Ali(a 



Uganuk Fishing St;ltii 



•acific Steam 
chorageBay. 



ni 1 trap fence; $800 

|3 gill nets, 150 fms., GJ-inch n»«h ; 05 cents per fm 

j 19 traps, leaders average 1,350 feet ; $1,000 each. 

, , , I (10 gill nets, 200 fms., 6J-inch mesh, 40 meshes deep ; 

I3 traps, leaders 150 to 200 fms ; $1,200 each 

ig Co., An- ' 5 traps, 150to 200fm. leaders; 40-feet square pots : 
$1,100 each. 



, long by 3 to 8 fms. deep; 



9 drag seines, 50 to 150 fu 
$1.50 per fm. 

4 drag seines, 110 Inis. long: $1..5li per fm. 

ag seines, 123 fuis. limg, $1..3U per fm. 



h nu'sii. 120 meshes deep; 
$1 per fm. 



[8 drag seines, 450 fms., 3-iuch mesh, 145 meshes deep 

$1.50 per fm. 
12 dragseines, 425 fms., 3-inch mesh, 180 meshes deep 
] $1.50 per fm. 
1 drag seine, 200 fms., 3-inch mesh, lOO meshes deep 

I $1.50 per fm. 

;i3 drag seines, 500 fms., 3J-inch mesh ; $1-75 per fm. 
:;3 drag seiues, 375, 175, and 150 fms. ; $1.75 per fm. 
I (2 drag seines, 250 fms. deep by 120 m., 3-inch mesh 
1 $1 per fm. 
J2 drag seines, 200 fms. deep by 100 m.. 3-inch mesh 

1$l per fm. 
1 drag seine, 100 fms. deep by 80 m., 3 inch mesll 
$1 i»er fm. 
2drag seines. 350fms., 3-in('h mesh, 125 meshes deep 
I $1.50 per fm. 

'\5 drag seines, 200 fms. long., 3-inch mesh, 100 meshes 
7 deep; $1.50 per fm. 

71 drag seine. 250 fms. long, 3-inch mesh ; $1.50 per fm 
'{ 1 drag seine, 200 fms. long, 3-ini-h mesh ; $1 .50 per- fm 

II drag seine, 100 fms. long, 3-inch mesli ; $1 .50 per I'm 
I 2dragseiues,250fms.long,3.inchraesh; $1.50perfm 



'.Includes the values of < 
2 During busy season. 



in the district. 



* Men and boys. 



THK SALMON AXD SALMON I-'ISIIKKIKS OK ALASKA. 
Tahir shoniiti/ the rcsach mid hoals emiihujcd hit llie .IIiixIk shIiiuiii laiiinriii in ISM. 



57 



Stoa 



els. 



Metlakalitla ludustrial Co 

PiKiHr Steam Whaling Co., 

Uuiitor Bay. 
AInHkaSalnioii Packinj^and Far 

Co. 
Boston Fisliing and Trailing Co 

Glacier Packing Co 

North PacificTrailingand Pack. 

ing Co. 

Baranotf Packing Co 

Pyrami<l Harbor Packing Co. . . 
Peninsula Trading and Fishing 

Co. 

Pacific Packing Co 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Orca 

Arctic Fishing Co 

HnmeAleutian Packing Co... 1 
Karluk Packing Co j 

Ala.ska Improvement Co 

Arctic Packing Co , Alitak Bay. 

Uganuk Fishing Station 

Chignik Bay Co 

Hume Bros. &. Hume, Anchor- 
age Bay. 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Aii- 
cliorage Bay. 



Marie G.Haaven 

fAlice 

t Minnie M. (launch) 

fNovelty 

\Arctic 

/ Rosio (launch ) 

\ ((jharter extra dm 

iKIIaKohlBs 

\Puritan 

(Klawack 

\Cora (launch) 

Wigwam 

/Elsie 

\LilliaD 

f'i'hlinket (St. wheel) ... 
t Beaver (launch) 



h.) 



jS.B.M.al thews (at 
(Susanna (stern-wheel) 
Wildcat (stern-wheel) 

I Jennie 

{Olga 

(.\rthur (launch) 

(Hattie Gage 

\2 launches 



(Kadiak 

lAlaska 

Delphine launches.../ 
iCorinne../""" \ 

Aleut 

(Station tended hy stc 

( Afoguak ." 

(Baby Buth (st. wheel) . 

iFlorence Hume 

S.llmo 



12.000 

12,000 
i 2, QUO 
r season.) 
I 14,000 

1U,5U0 

5, 000 

! 1, 000 

10, 000 

16,000 
8,8110 

10,00a 

4.000 

14, 000 
14, 000 

9,000 
10, 000 
26, 000 

0,000 

2,100 
17,000 

2, 000 

(each) 
23, 000 

7,500 

4,500 

3,750 
10, 000 
u Karluk.] 

15, 750 I 
4,500 

3,000 I 

7,000 



Sail \ 



ascls. 



Rig. 



Value. 



(Transiiort hy regular line of steamers.) 
(Transport by calling vessel of company.) 

|Electra Bark ... 040 $12,000 'Fishennen. 

(Transport by regular line of stcami-rs.) 
1). Skoltield . Ship 1,270 j 16,000 Fishermen 

II! 

(Transport by chartered vessel.) 
(Transport by chartered vessel.) 
■•incihle....! Ship....! 1,394 I Chartered I Fishermen. 
(Transport b.y vessel from Orca.) 



>Gatherci 



(Santa Clara.. 
list. Nicholas . 

Centennial... 
Harvester . , . 



Coryphene. . 
(■1-r 
, Llewellyn J 
I Morse. 

f Leon 

(Equator 



Bark . . . ' 1, 377 

Ship ' 1,909 

Bark ...' 1,131 

Ship....! 1.473 
Ship 1,888 



Ship.... 
Bark . . . 
3-m. sch. 



1,130 
710 
292 



Chartered 
Chartered 
Chartered 



14, 250 

7,750 

9,000 

Chartered 



Fishermen. 
Fishermen. 



sport hy vessels from Karluk.) 
Ship....] 1,271 I 25,000 Fishc 



(Transport by calling vessel of company.) 



Name of company. 



Metlakahtla Industrial O. 



Pacific Steam Whali: 



liter Bay 



Alaska Salmon Packing and Fur Co 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co 

Glacier Packing Co 

North Pacific Trading and Packing Co. 

Baranoft' Packing Co 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co 

Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co 

Pacific Packing Co 



2 lighters 

[3 lighters 

2 purse-seine scows. . 

[2 pile drivers 

29 lighters and scows 

6 lighters 

2 lighters < } 

1 fish scow 



«i io encli f^ Columbia-river boats. . 

*iooeacu unatiHa 



$100 each . . 
$150 each . . 
$750 each . . 
$50 to $100 I 
$50 to $75 e: 



itlOskiHa . 

l2 whale boats. 



$100. 



Pacific Steam Whaling Co.. Orca 



4 lighters 

2 lighters 

1 lighter 

21ighters 

'3 sloop lighters . 

1 coal scow 

. I pile driver 

13 lighters 



21 seine boats 

4 seine boats 

14 Colamhia-river boats . . 

20 dories and skitl's 

4 seine boats 

4 seine boats 

1 $50 each ' (48 Columbia-river boats. . 

iSeveral skiffs 

$200 each , 20 Columbia-river boats . 

49i:n I (32 Columbia-river boats.. 

*'"" !\2 seine boats 

$250 each jpo Columbia.river boats. . 

1(3 seme boats 

I*"'? ""'■'> [il5gill.net boats 

$'75o.;!;;!;;;;;;:r*'"'>p8"-<''*'s 

(15 seine boats 

■|i70 dories. 



$400 ( 



Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay. 
Uganuk Fishing Station 



Uume llros. it Hum.-, Anchorage Bay 

Pacific Steam Whaling (.'o.. Anchorage Ba 



III lighter.-. 

'Al scows 

I Blighters 

'(-I'gl'ters 

lOtrnp scows ■.., 

12 i)ile drivers 

j4 lighters 

< 4 trap scows 

tl sail scow 

(11 lighters and scows. 
11 pile driver 



$200 each 

$3.50 each 

$200 each 

$650 eai'h 

$350 each 

$100 each 

$500 

$50 to $250 each 
$650 



heachseine boats, 35feet. 
12 river seine boats. 25 feet. 
1 river seine boat, 20 feet. . 
[Many dories and sUifl's... 



$85 each. 
$50 each. 
$"0each. 
$50 to $75 ( 
$180 each. 
$25 each. 
$90 each. 
$75 each. 
$200 each. 
$20 each. 
$200 each. 
$200 each. 
$100 each. 
$200 ea<-h. 
$100 each. 
$50 each. 
$50 each. 
$125 each. 
$25 each. 
$4 per line: 
$4 per line 
$4 per line 



$25 



1 dories $20 1 



$150 each. 



[12 seine and gill.nct boats. $125 each. 



58 BULLETJN OF THE UNITED STATKS FISH COMMISSION. 

Table showiui/ the value of plants, the emploi/ees, and fishing apx'aratus of the Alaska salmon canneries for 1807. 



Tiipauy and locatiuu of cai 



QaailraPackinKCo.,MinkBa,\, I-" . J. ( lunha 

MetlakalitlalnduBtrialCo., Mri I i 1' i ' 'liester, Annette Island 

Pacific Steam "WTialing Co.. Hm ti : . : I . I i me of Walea Island 

Alaska Salmon Packing and !■' n ( m i.u[ m^, Xaha Bay 

Boston Fishing and Trading C"., \ cs *)r Rlcl>ouald Bay 

Glacier Packing Co., Point Higlifield. Wrangell Island 

North Pacific Trading and Packing Co., Klawak, Prince of Wales Island . 

Baranotf Packing Co., Kedti.shBay, Baranof Island 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co., Pyramid Harbor, Chilkat lulet 

Pacific Packing Co.. Odiak, Prince William Sound 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co. , Orca. Prince William Sound 

Arctic Fishing Co., Kussilof Kiver, Cook Inlet 

H ume- Aleutian Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

Karluk Packing Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

Alaska Improvement Co., Karluk, Kadiak Island 

Uganuk Fishing Station, Uganuk Bay, Kadiak Island 

Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay. Kadfak Island 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Uyak Anchorage, Kadiak Island 

Hume Bros. & Hume, u yak Anchorage, Kadiak Island 

Cbignik Bay Co.Chignik Lagoon. ChiLniik Bay, Alaska Peninsula 

Hume Bros. & Hume, Anchoraui' V'-w . ( 'hiunik Bay 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Am iH.r.fi;, r„ii cliignikBay 

Arctic Packing Co., Isushaguk l;i\ n, !;, i iIl^ ,Sea 

Alaska Packing Co., Nusbagak lei \ cr, 1 kring Sea 

Bristol Bay Canning Cd., Nusbagak lii\"er, Bering Sea 

Point Eoberts Packing Co., Kvichak Eiver, Bering Sea 

Arctic Packing Co.,Naknek Kiver, Bering Sea 

Naknek Packing Co., Nakuek Kiver, Bering Sea 

Ugashik Fishing Station, Ugashik River, Bering Sea 



Value of 
plant. 



$23, ass 

4U, 000 
73, 000 
40, 000 
45,000 
20, 000 
12, 000 

* 113, 000 

51,000 
60,000 

* 108, 000 

■'858, 507 

« 

•■106,000 
40, 000 
30, 000 

^225,000 
30, 000 
40, 000 

>'386, 500 



White. Native. White. I Native. Chinese 



Other employees. 



Name of ( 



Gill nets and traps — number, d: 



Seines — number. dimensi< 



Quadra Packing Co., Mink Bay. 
Metlakabtla Industrial Co 



Pacific Steam Whalin 

Hunter Bay. 
Alaska Salmon Packii 



rCo. 



Boston Fishing and Trading 

Co. 

Glacier Packing Co 

North Pacific Trading and 

Packing Co. 
Baranotf Packing Co 



Pyramid Harbor Packing Co.. 

Pacific Packing Co 

Pacific SteamWhaling Co., Orca 



Arctic Fishing Co 



) 12 gill nets. 250 fms. bv 24 m., 8J.i 
U2 gill nets, 200 fms. by 26 m., 6J-i 
ll experimental trap ; $1,000 



.; 40 cents per fm 
.; 40 cents per fm. 



12 gill nets, 200 fms. long, 16 feet deep, 8J-inch mesh ; 

65 cents per fm. 
46 gill nets, 300 fms. long, 10 feet deep, 6J-inch mesh : 

65 cents per fm. 
32 gill nets, sets, 450 fms. per set ; mesh G^-inch, 
I red; 64-inch, coho ; 9^-inch, king; $1 per fm. 
/43 gill nets, sets, 450 fms. per set; mesh 6^-inch, 
\ red: 6J.iuoh, coho; 9§-incb, king; $lperfm. 
15 gill nets, 50 fms. long, 30 m. deeji, OJ-in. ; $1 per fin . 
15 gill nets, 50 fms. long, 22 ra. deep, 9J-in. ; $1 per fni - 
8 traps, 30 to 50 foot pots, 300 to 700 foot leaders ; 
$300 to $1,500 each. 



Hume- Aleutian Packing ( 

Karluk Packing Co 

Alaska Improvement Co. 

Vganuk Fishing Station. 



l/l floating tr.ap, 200.fni. lead, 100-fra. wings ; $1.500.. 
|U floating trap, 300-fm. lead, 100-fm. wings ; $1,500.. 



Arctic Packing Co., Alitak Bay 



Hume Bros. & Humo, Uyak 

Anchorage. 
Cbignik Bay Co 



Hume Bros. & Hume, Auclior 

age Bay. 
PacificSteamWhalingCo., An 

chorage Bay. 
ArcticPack'g'Co., Nusbagak K, 

Alaska Packing Co 

Bristol Bay Canning Co 

Point Koberta Packing Co. . . . 



Naknek Packing Co 

TJgaBhik Fishing Station - 



3 gill nets, 200 fms, long, 30 meshes deep, G-iuch 

mesh ; 65 cents per fm. 
f 3 gill nets, 150 fms. long, 6J-in. mesh ; 65 cts. per fm . . 

\lo trap.s, average 1,360 feet long; $1,000 each 

j 10 gill iiet.s, 200~fms. long, 6J-inch mesh, 40 meshes 
< di-e(); 75 cents per fm. 

l5 traps, leaders 150 to 200 fms.; $1,200 each 

8 traps, 150 to 200 fm. leaders, 40-foot stiuare pots; 
$l,100e:ich. 

nets, 125 fms. long, 24 m. deep; 75 cts. ]ier fni. 
75 fms. long, 24 m. deep ; 75 cts. per fm. 
■aps; leaders, 300 feet average; $1,000 each. 
125 gill nets, 60 fms. long, 30 ni. deep ; 75 cts. per fm. 
\4 traps, leaders 300 feet; $1,000 each. 
1 11 gill nets, 70 fms. long, 24 m. deep ; 75 cts. per fm. 
\ 34 gill nets, 70 fms. long, 22 m. deep ; 75 cts. per fm. 
l3 traps, leaders 175 feet; $750 each. 
)30 gill nets, 100 fms. long, 20 m. deep ; 40 cts. per fm . 

U double trap; $600 

|21 gill nets, 75 fms. long, 24 m. deep : 75 cts. per I'm. 
12 traps, 150 and 250 foot leaders ; $600 each. 



.ri.iuueacu. 
) I (60 gill nets, 125 
Wr-'O gill nets, 75 
J ll traps ; leader 



14 drag and purse seines (no data). 
f9 drag, 100 fms. long; $200 each. 
12 purse, 120 fms. long ; $350 each. 
12 drag, 75 fms. long; $1.25 per fm. 

1 purse, 175 fms. long, 12 fms. deep; $522. 
.1 purse, 175 fms. long, 7 fms. deep ; $300. 
^21 drag, 75 to 250 fms. long ; $1.50 per fm. 

(4 drag, 80 to 140 fm.s. long, 3inch mesh ; $l."iO per fm. 
tl purse, 220 bv 30 fms., 3-inch uTCsh; $800. 
(9 drag, 50 to 150 fms. long, 3 to 8 fms. deep; $1.50 
\ per fm. 
4 drag, 110 fms. long; $1.50 per fm. 

2 drag, 125 fms. long; $1.50 jrer fm. 



[2 drag, 150 fms., 3-incli mesh. 120 m. deep; $1 jii 
)4 drag, 150 fms. ; $1 per fm. 



drag, 500 fms., 125 ra. deep, 3.in. mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 

drag, 450 fms., 145 m. deep, 3-in. mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 

drag, 425 fms., 180 ni. deep, 3-in. mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 

drag, 200 fms., 100 m. deep, 3-in. m. ; $1.50 per fm. 
,2 drag, 350 fms. long, 125 m. deep, 3-in. mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 
■2 drag, 250 fms. long. 120 m. deep, 3-in. mesh : $1 per fm. 
2 drag, 200 fms. long. 100 m. deep, 3-in. mesh ; $1 per fm. 
[1 drag, 100 fms. long, 80 m. deep, 3-in. mesh ; $1 per fm. 
|2 drag, 300 fms. long, 3 inch mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 
2 drag, 150 fms. long, 3-iuch mesh ; $1 .50 per fm. 
2 drag, 100 fms. long, 3-inoh mesh; $1.50 per fm. 
1 purse, 300 fms. long; $1,000. 
'6 drag, 200 to 300 fms. long, 100 to 125 m. deep; $1.7.-| per 

fm. 
5 dr.ig, 200 fms., 100 m. deep, S.inch mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 
1 drag, 250 fms. long, 3-inch mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 
1 drag, 200 fms. long, 3incb mesh; $1.50 per fm. 

1 drag, 100 fms. long, 3-inch mesh ; $1.50 per fm. 

2 drag, 250 fms. long, 3-inch mesh; $1.50 per fm. 



2 drag e 



!s, 60 fms. lo 



iipty trap) ; $1.25 jicr I'm. 



During busy time 



2 Women. 
Includes 16 hateberymeu. 



!32 



men and boys. 
Included in Karluktigur 



* Includes values of cannery i>lauts i 
' Includes 3 coal minors. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



59 



Tabic alu>ivin(j the vesaeh and hoata employed hy the Alaska salmon canneries in 1S97. 



Steam vessels. 



Name of cciiiipany 



M. Ni 
fHerald 
i Marie G. Haaveu 



Alaska Sain 
lid J''i 



I Mini: 
c-king IfNovelty 



Boston Fishing and I'l-n 

ing Co. 
Glacier Tacking Co ... 
North Pacific TraUii 

and Packing Co. 
Baranotr Packings Co.. 
Pyramid Harbor Packi] 
"Co. 

Pacific Packing Co — 



f,\laska 

\Kosie (launch 

rP) 

(Ella Kohlffs 
flvlawack 
\Cora (launch) 
Wigwam 
fElsu 
\Lilli; 
(1 



Art-tic FiHhiii"; C" 



Hiime-Aleutiau 

KarluU Packin;: 
Alaska Improve 



Uganuk Fishing Station 
Arctic Packing Co.. Ali- 

tak Bay. 
Pacific Steam "Whaling 

Co., Uyak Anchorage. 
Hume liros. &. Hume, 

Uyak Anchorage. 

Chignik BayCo 

Hume Bros. & Hume, 

Anchorage Bay. 
Pacific Steam Whaling 

Co.. Anchorage Bay. 
Arctic Packing Co.,'Nu-^ 

flhagak Kiver. 

Alaska Packing Co , 

Bristol Bay Cauning Co., 



Point Roherts Packg Co . 

Arctic Packing Co., Nak- 
nek River. 

Naknek Packing Co 

Ugasbik Fishing Station. 




(No (lata.) 
(Transpiirt hy regular lino i>i steaniera.) 

sport hy .ulliug vessel of company.) 

Nicholns Thayer (2 trips). { Bark.| 5r.G t$lU,000 I Fishermen. 

Eleclra ] Bark.| 940 | 12,000 | Fishermen. 

(Transport hy regular line of st<^aniers.) 

Skoilii^l.i I Ship. I 1,27G | le.OOO IFishurmen. 

(Transport hy chartered vessel.) 
(Transport by chartered vessel.) 



{Olga 

[ Arthur (launch) 

^Hattie Gage 

iKadiak 

ra (launch) 
t'co''iii;*^^<L^"°';l'' 



Ship. 
Ship . 
Ship. 
Bark. 



Ship 
Ship 
Bark 



Eijuator 
Afognak 
Baby Ruth (stem-wheel) . 

^FlorenceHume 



Salmo 
(Polar Bear 



(Tyone (launch) 
Amy S. (launch) 
Corinne (launch) 

President 

Northern Light (launch) 
J. W.Clark (launch) 
hialphL. (launch).... 

Enielia (launch) 

fThistle 

\Cathie K (launch) . . . 



I Santa Clara ('J trips) 

St. Nicholas 

'Nicholas Thayer (2 trips 

to Loring). 
Merom (ItriptoNaknek). ...do 
(Transportation by 

Kate Davenport | Bark 

(Transport by calling v 

vester , Bark 

JLlewellyn J.Morse Ship 

Ferris S. Thompson Bark 

(Transport by calling v 

1 Sterling 

lEclipse 

Willie R. flume 

iBohemia 

(W.W.Case.... 
(M, 

IProsper 

B. P. Cheney 
Coryphene. 



1,304 


Chart. 


1,139 


•20, 000 


I, 909 


Chart. 


1,131 


Chart. 


1,473 

1,B88 

556 


30, 000 
Chart. 
10, (100 


1,159 


16, 000 



Piahermen. 
Fishermen. 



11 



from Karluk.) 
1, 175 I Chart. | Fishermen. 
81*1 of company.) 

716 I 7,500 
1, 271 25, 000 

514 j 7,500 
sel of company.) 



Fishern 



Ship. 
Ship . 
Bark- 



Bark. 
Sch'r 
Bark. 
Bark. 



1,637 

1,535 

632 



1,159 

230 

1, 20U 



30,000 1 Fishermen. 
Chart. Fishermen. 
Chart. Do. 



10,000 
15,000 
14,000 



Name of company. 



Quadra Packing Co 

Metlakahtla Industrial Co. 



Lighters, etc. 



Number and description. 



Pacific Steam Whaling Co., Hunter Bay . 

Ala.^ka Salmon Pa<:king and Fur Co 

Boston Fishing and Trading Co 

Glacier Packing Co 

North Pacific 'J'radiug and Packing Co .. 

Baranolf I'acking Co 

Pyramid Uarhor Packing Co 

Pacific Packing Co 

Pacific Steam Whaling Co.,()ica 



1 pile driver ,... 

21ighters 

(3 lighters 

\'l purse-seine sco 
12 pile drivers... 

29 fi-sh scows.... 

6 lighters 

A large lighter .. 
\llighter 

lliahscow 



Arctic Fishing Co 

Hume Aleutian P.icking I 

Karluk Packing Co 

Alaska Improvement Co. 



4 lighters 

1 lighter 

2 lighters 

[2 sloop lighters . 

1 (;oal scow 

ll pile driver 



Number and descriptii 



$150 each 

.$100 each 

$150 each 

$750 each 

$50 to $100 each 
$50 to $75 each . 
.$400 



$50. 
.$100. 



$50 each . 
$250 



$400 each 

$500 

$750 , 



12 li":hters and boats . . . 
P Columbia-river boats. 
tlOskifls 



21 seine boats 

4 seine boats 

14 Columbia-river boats. 

20 dories and skill's 

4 seine boats 

4 seine boats 

(48 Columbia-river boats. 

\Sevoral skills 

(32 Columbia-river boats. 

12 seine boats 

(43 Cohimbia-river boats. . 
\3 seine boats 

115 gill-net boat-i 
6 trap scows , 



$50 each. 
$1S0 each. 
$30 each. 



,$50 each. 
$50 to 75 c 
$180 each. 
$25 each. 
$90 each. 
$75 each. 
$200 each. 
$20 each. 
$200 each. 
$100 each. 
,$200 each. 
$100 



h. 



60 juMJ.F/riN ()!•' rill': inited states fish commission. 

I'abic sliowin<i the viastlx <ind huats tunjilui/cd /)// the AUiikit nalmoii cuniieiies in JS97 — Coutinued. 



Uga 



Ilk Fisl.i 
a Packir 



; Sta 



L'o.. Alitak Ray 

Pacitic Steam Whalinjr Co., Uyak Anelu 
Hume Bros. & Hume, Uyak Anchorage. 
Chi-nik liavCo 



Hn 



■ lir^ 



. &Hii 



, Aiiclioiase I!i 



Pacific Steam Whaling'Co., Anchorage 

Arctic Packing Co ) 

Alaska Packing Co [Nusluigak Ki> 

I'ristol Bay Canning Co j 

Point Rol>ert8 Packing Co 

Arctic Packing Co., Naknelc River 



I.ighto 



Xumber and descriptit 



7 flcows ... 
Blighters . 
■:i lighters . 
.4 scows -- . 
2 lighters - 



$00 each . . 
$200 each . 
$2,10 each . 
$100 each . 
$350 each . 



2 lighters $350 each 

(8 lighters : $350 each 

no trap scows I $200 each 

la pile drivers > $650 each 

(4 lighters I $350 each 

{4 trap scows I $100 each 

1 1 .sail scow I $1500 

(11 lighters -and scows I $50 to $250 each 

\2 pile drivei'a $050 each 



(No data). 



(Xo data). 
(No data). 
(1 lighter.. 

Naknek Packing Co ili lighters. 

h piledrivt 
Ugasliik Fishing Station I (No data). 



Boats. 



Number and description. 



$700. 
$300 « 
$300. 



[10 dories 

4 seine boats 

10 dories 

f5 seine boats 

115 dories 

12 seine boats 

^12 seine and gill-net boat: 

llO gill-net boats 

(8 boats and skitis 

4 seine boats 

Several skitis 

98 boats and lighters 

32 boats, lighters, and set 
30 boats ami lighters 

[20 gill-net boats 

53 boats .md lighters 



$150 each. 
.$20 each. 
$100 each. 
$25 each. 
$100 each. 

$125 each. 



SALTEKY STATISTICS. 

Tlicj following table shows the e.xteiit to which the salting of saliiioii was cairieil in Alaska in 
1897, and comprises all the data obtainable, except that, in addition to the amounts given, various 
small establishments in southeast Alaska salted about 500 barrels, deducing half-barrels to 
barrels, it will be seen that the total salt-salmon output for Alaska in 1897 was about 15,543 barrels. 

Table (I'nnn;/ the Sdltery Klutistiiv of AUnka for 1S97. 



Fort Tongass, southeast Alaska James Turk 

Mink Arm, Boca de Quadra, southeast Alaska Clark & Martin 

Ketchikan. Tongass Narrows, southeast Alaska | do 

Ward Cove, Tongass Narrows, southeast Alaska ! Natives (Indians) 

Hunter liav. Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska Alaska Packers' Association . 



"500 



Hump- 
back bel- 
lies (half 
bbls.) 



100 
500 



Nut qua Inlet, Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska.. - 

Sukkwan, Sukkwau Island, southeast Alaska 

Kassook, Sukkwan Island, southeast Alaska 

Karta Bay, Prince of Wales Island, soutlieast Alaska 

Thome Bay, Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska 

Yes (McUonald) Bay, southeast Alaska 

Whale Passage, Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska - 

Lake Bay, Prince of W,ales Island, soutlieast Alaska 

Salmon Bay, Prince of Wales I.sland. southeast Alaska 

Red Bay, Prince of Wales Ishiii.l, southeast Alaska 

Shipley Bay, Prince of Wales l.slar.d, s.>utlirast Alaska. ... 

Sar-ka'r, Prini^e (if Wales Islaiiil. .soutloa.-il Alaska 

Point Barrie, Kupreanof Island, soutlieast Alaska 

Point Ellis, Kuiu Island, southeast Alaska' 

Killisnoo, (jhatham Strait, southeast Alaska^' 

Port Althorp, southeast Alaska 

Neva Strait, southeast Alaska 

Sandy Bay, southeast Alaska 

Tyonek, Cook Inlet 

Eagle Harbor. Kadiak Island 

Alitak Bay, Kadiak Island 

Nushagak River, Bristol Bay, Bering Sea 



Do . 



Koggiuug, Kvichak River, Bri.stol Bay, Bering Sea. 

Naknek River, Bristol Bay, Bering Sea 

Egegak River, Bristol Bay, Bering Sea 

Ugasliik River, Bristol Bay, Bering Sea 



Do . 



/None salted : fish used at Pacitic Steam 
' I Whaling Co.'s cannery. 



Pacific Steam Whaling Co. 

Banter & West 

Miller & Co 200 I I 700 

Baronovich Bros 41 

Robert Bell 160 i 000 

Boston Fishing and Trading Go , 150 ! 

Thomas McCauley i | I 1. 400 

do 1 Abandoned : tanks moved to Whale Pas- 

do \\ safie. All fish supplied to Wrangell 

do '. J cannery. 

Walter Kosmikoff | Salted few for local use; sold fresh. 

Fred. Brockman I | I 300 

Cyrus Orr i Salted few for local use : sold fresh. 

Jack Mantle ] '^ Salted few for local use: sold fresh. 

Alaska Oil and Guano Co I »75 I 80 i 25 200 

Ford &. Stokes Reported abandoned . 

Morrissey &. Co | Abandoned. 

do ' Abandoned. 

C.D.L.add 



C. E. Whitney cfe Co 

Alaska Packers' Association . 
Naknek Packing Co 

Alaska Packers' Association . 



950 half-barrels of herring were also salted. 



U. S, F. C. 1898 iTo face page 60. > 




STREAM AT M'DONALD BAY, LOOKING INTO SMALL LAKE 




MOUTH OF STREAM DRAINING LAKE NEAR MINK ARM, BOCA DE QUADRA 



Till': SALMON AM) SALMON KISHKKIKS OK ALASKA. (jl 



SOUTHEAST ALASKA DISTRICT. 



EXTENT AND IMPOUTANCE OF THE REGION. 

This district extends from tlie southern boundary of Alaska to Cape Spencer. Tlie 
trend of the mainland from the entrance to Portland Canal to the head of Lynn Canal 
is in a general northwest and southeast direction. The strip of territory west of the 
boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia is about 30 miles wide, and 
consists of irregular mountain masses often rising precipitously from the sea to an 
elevation of several thousand feet, and sometimes (as a point farther from the coast is 
reached) attaining an altitude of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. This rugged condition is broken 
on every hand by deep valleys or gorges through which the glaciers debouch and from 
which nearly all the streams on the mainland derive their sources. Fringing the 
mainland are numerous islands, large and small, close to the coast line, conforming 
to its irregularities, and separated from it and from each other by deep straits and 
channels. These islands, about 1,100 in number, extend from the coast an average 
distance of about 75 miles, and along the general contour for about 250 miles. As a 
rule they are mountainous and heavilj' wooded with spruce, hendock, and cedar, 
forming an almost impenetrable growth. Some are very large, indented with deep 
bays and sounds, and they in turn are fringed with smaller islands. 

Tiiroughont this region numerous streams and streamlets on the islands and the 
mainland contain one or more species of salmon, but none alone can furnish sufficient 
salmon to sujiply a single cannery, and in only a few streams does the redtish, the 
principal salmon sought, exist in numbers sufficient for commercial purposes. As a 
result, each cannery is supplied from many streams, some of them, i)erhaps, GO to 80 
miles from the establishment. Encroachment of one cannery upon the streams 
claimed by another frequently occui'S, and bad feeling, threats of violence, etc., 
occasionally result. 

The largest salmon rivers in southeast Alaska are the Unuk, Stikine, Taku, and 
Chilkat, to which further reference will be made. These rivers take their source 
in the interior and drain considerable areas. The other rivers are usually small 
streams, and the greater number are simply outlets to a lake or system of lakes. 
These outlets are in some cases only half a mile in length, generally from 2 to 5 miles, 
and exceptionally 8 to 10 miles. 

Ey reference to Chart A it will be seen that a line diawn through Sumner 
Straits and extending to the Stikine liiver forms a natural fishery division for 
southeast Alaska. South of this line are seven canneries, with an output in 1897 
of 220,341 cases, and all the streams from which their supply is obtained except 
two small streams that furnish less than 5,000 redfish to the cannery at VVrangell. 
The division north of this line, though comprising a larger territorial area and coast 
line, has but two canneries, with an output of 51,520 cases in 1897, and if the Chilkat 
and Chilkoot rivers are excepted, there would not be sufficient redfish taken in all tlie 
streams of the upper division to pack 20,000 cases. 

Since 1878 the district has packed 23.2 per cent of the total Alaska pack. Jn 
1897 its i)ercentage was 29.9. 



62 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES I'ISH COMMISSION. 

BOCA DE QUADRA. 

The Albdtrosft arrived at Mary Island, soutlieast Alaska, Jane C, and after making;' 
such inquiries relating to tlie salmon and halibut fisheries as seemed pertinent to the 
subject, went to the Boca de Quadra and anchored off the cannery the following day. 

This body of water is a deep fiord making into the mainland in a general northeast 
direction from llevillagigedo Channel for a distance of i!8 nsiles. Thi-ee smaller fiords 
branch from it to the southward and eastward, viz, Marten Arm, Mink Arm, and Vixen 
Bay; and extending to the northward are Badger Bay and Weasel Cove. There are 
no villages or i)ermanent Indian habitations on the Boca de Quadra — a shack here and 
there affording temporary shelter during the hunting and fishing seasons. About 2 
miles below the entrance on the southern side is a small Indian village named after 
the Cape Fox chief, Kah-Shakes, who lives there. 

The shores are rugged and mountainous. A few streams, all of which contain 
salmon, discharge their waters into the main arm and into the heads of its branches. 
Only one, however, is known to be a resort of red salmon, though a second redfisb 
stream empties into Kah-Shakes Cove. 

One of the first canneries in Alaska was located on the northern shore of the Boca 
de Quadra, about S miles from the entrance. It was built in 1883 by Mr. M. J. Kinney, 
of Astoria, and was operated under the name of the Cape Fox Packing Company 
from 1883 to 188G. In the winter of 1886-87 it was sold and moved to a place now 
called Ketchikan, in Tongass Narrows, and was operated there under the name of the 
Tongass Packing Company during the seasons of 1887, 1888, and part of 1889. It was 
burnt in August, 1889, after having packed about 13,000 cases. 

The cannery now operating in the Boca de Quadra was built by the Quadra 
Packing Company In the spring of 1890, and made its first pack that year. It is ou 
the western shore of INIink Arm, in a small indentation near the entrance, and directly 
inside of Grouse Island. As the building was only commenced in March, the equip- 
ment was necessarily incomplete for the 1890 pack, yet 8,000 cases of redfish were 
canned. The fish were all taken at no great distance from the cannery, in purse 
seines.. Wheu the Albatross was at this point in the early part of the season, new 
buildings were being erected, the wharf extended, and preparations made for fishing on 
a more extended scale. For the season of 1897 the steam schooner Annie j\[. ^ivon 
was chartered to transport fish from a distance and as a general cannery tender. 

The agent of the company at Victoria reports that the total pack of 1897 was 
24,500 cases, of which 7,500 cases were redfish, and the balance humpbacks and cohoes. 

QUADKA STREAM AND LAKE. 

The mouth of Quadra Stream is N. i W., a scant mile from the cannery, iu a 
V-shaped inlet. The entrance is formed by precipitous rocky walls, covered with the 
dense growth characteristic of this country, and on approaching it the rushing white 
waters of the ra])id stream are seen. The entrance contracts to a width of about 50 
yards and then opens into a small bay. This bay receives the water of the stream 
at low water, but at high tide the fresh water recedes a considerable distance. A 
saltery was built on the northern shore about seven years ago by Clark & Martin, of 
Ketchikan. It was not operated in 1890, but some fish were salted in 1897. 

After leaving this bay the rapid waters of the stream are encountered, and in less 
than half a mile the lake which is the soui'ce of the stream is found. The stream is 



III. U. S, F. C. 1898. (Toface page 62.1 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF A1,ASKA. G3 

about 20 yards wide, and from tlie lake to high water has possibly a fall of 30 feet. 
At the outlet of the lake the stream is heavily choked witli drift, but this does not 
form a serious obstacle to the ingress of salmon. 

Quadra Lake is about 4 miles long and from a half to three- fourths of a mile wide, 
and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and precipitous shores. The dense, 
almost impenetrable, forest growth prevents any extended exploration from the shores, 
and, as the only navigable means at hand was a very crank and leaky canoe, only a 
cursory examination was made. The kike seems very deep and the water is dis- 
colored, probably from decomposed vegetation and the spongy conditions along the 
shores. It is fed by numerous cascades and falls, formed by the melting snows and 
the natural drainage, and it is said there is a sandy beach and an entering stream at 
the head. 

It appears, from a superlicial examination, that this would afford an excellent 
site for a hatchery. The small bay at the mouth of the sti-eam could be made into a 
natural trap, with an abundance of room for all the fish, from which they could be 
easily removed when wanted, and plenty of water is obtainable by gravity, but it 
would probably have to be filtered. 

(Juadra Stream is at present considered one of the best i-ed-salmou streams in 
southeast Alaska. 97,000 redfish in 1S95 were taken from around its mouth and 
approaches; 137,000 were obtained in 1890, of which number the cannery at Loring 
secured 44,370 between July 13 and August 31, and Metlakahtla 13,780 from July 14 
to August 22; and in 1897 abont 05,000 fish were taken, of which 20,000 went to 
Loring, 4,000 to Metlakahtla, and the remainder to the Quadra cannery. The run of 
redfish at Quadra for cannery purposes usually lasts from July 15 to September 1. 
Straggling fish are taken before and after these dates. A few years ago this 
stream did not rank as a large producer of salmon. Until recently it was tightly barri- 
caded every year. The competition for these salmon has probably caused overfishing 
by the introduction of more gear than the stream warrants. 

In 1897 thelocality was fished by the canneries at Loring, Metlakahtla, andQuadra, 
and the Mink Arm saltery. Fourteen seines, from 200 to 240 fathoms in length, were 
used, and Clark & Martin, of the saltery, used two purse seines, one 225 fathoms, the 
other 240 fathoms long. If fishing is continued as extensively as at present, it would 
seem that a large reduction in the catch must follow. 

Judging this stream by others examined, and taking into consideration the 
probable overfishing, it is thought to have a capacity of 50,000 redfish under average 
conditions. 

The Quadra redfish are the largest found in southeast Alaska, if not in all Alaska. 
They are well known to all the canuerymen in the vicinity, running 8 to the case, 
or averaging a trifle over 8 pounds in weight. Early in August they frecpiently 
lose their bright and firm appearance, their scales drop oft', their fins become frayed, 
and they commence turning red in color. It is thought by some that these fish 
have been in fresh water, but such is probably not the case. 

During a dry season, such as 1896, the salmon streams of southeast Alaska are 
so low that the fish can not ascend, but school around the mouths of the streams until 
the September rains raise the water, when they go up in a body. Fish so held and 
prevented from running, undoubtedly ripen in the brackish water at the river mouths 
as the spawning time approaches, and commence to disintegrate just as in fresh 
water, though not so rapidly. 



64 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

OTHER STREAMS OF THE BOCA DE C,)UAI)RA REGION. 

At the liead of the main arm of the Boca de Quadra aud of the arms making to 
the soutliward and eastward are streams liaviiig runs of colioes and liiunpbacks, but 
no redfisb. The stream at the head of Mink Arm was examined for a distance of 
about 2 miles. At the mouth it is about 00 feet wide, with an average depth of 
(i inches, narrowing to 15 to 20 feet in a short distance. The stream is said to be a 
lake outlet, the lake lying some distance inland, but no one could be found who has 
ever visited it. 

The stream at the head of Vixen Bay was also examined for a distance of 4 miles. 
It is from 75 to 100 feet wide at the mouth, narrowing to 50 feet. For the first mile the 
bottom is gravelly and well adapted for the spawning-grounds of humpback and dog 
salmon, but for the rest of the distance traveled it contains many bowlders. In the 
upper part reached by the party it is about 40 feet wide, with an average depth of 10 
inches. The current is very strong. 

It is said that a large number of cohoes are taken in Marten Arm. 

KAHSHAKES. 

The next redflsh stream in this vicinity is that which empties into Kah-Shakes 
Oove. It was unknown to us at the time of our visit to the Boca de Quadra, and there- 
fore not examined. In 1897 there were taken from this stream between 0,000 and 8,000 
redlisli. From the records of the stream, so far as they are obtainable, it is estimated 
that under average conditions its annual ca jiacity is 12,000 redflsh, and the time of runs 
is the same as at Quadra, namely, from the middle of July to the last of August. The 
average weight of these fish is about 7i pounds. 

TONGASS NARROWS— KETCHIKAN. 

Ketchikan is situated on the southeVn side of Kevillagigedo Island, about 5 miles 
from the eastern entrance to the narrows, and is on the Alaska steamer route from 
Metlakahtla, or Mary Island, to Loi'ing or northern points. The village is on the shore 
shelf, the houses straggling on both sides of Fish Creek. In 1890 it had a i)opulation 
of 40, of which number 20 were ludians. 

The cannery of the Cape Fox Packing Company was moved from the Boca de 
Quadra to this place in the winter of lS8(i-87, and operated under the title of the 
Tongass Packing Company until it was burned. A store, trading post, and a large 
saltery are owned and maintained by Messrs. Clark & Martin. The senior member of 
this firm, Mr. George W. Clark, was formerly a Gloucester fisherman, and has been 
at Ket(;hikan about ten years, in the trading and fisliing business. The saltery at 
C^Hiadra, previously mentioned, is also owned and operated by this firm. 

At the two salteries owned by Clark & Martin 4,000 barrels of salmon were salted 
in 1894, of which 2,500 were put up at Ketchikan and the remainder at Quadra. The 
price at that time fell to $4 and $4.50 per barrel, which made salting unprofitable, 
and these establishments have been operated irregularly since that date until 1897, 
when a certain number of fish were salted under contract. While the present year has 
brought a larger price for salt salmon — $8 to $9 per barrel — the firm find it advanta- 
geous to .sell their fish fresh, nnder contract, to the canneries. Their salt product is 
also disposed of by contract. 



U S. F C 1B98 (To <3ce page 64 



PL4T6 22. 




RAPIDS li: STKEPM KETCHIKAN 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHEKIES OF ALASKA. 65 

FISH CREEK. 

Fish Creek, at Ketchikan, is a little larger than the Quadra Stream, ami is a lake 
outlet. It flows with great velocity through a rocky glen, iu rapids aud falls. There 
are no artificial obstructions to the passage of fish in this stream. It is a remarkable 
stream for humpback salmon, containing that species almost exclusively, though a 
few steelheads tiud tlieir way to the upper waters. No redflsh or cohoes are taken 
here. The steelheads probably find their way to the lake, but uo other species could 
surmount the falls aud rapids. At the time of our visit (June 9) a few steelheads were 
running upstream, aud at oue of the rapids au Indian was catching them by means 
of a large, pointed hook, secured to a stout pole, which he held in the current, aud, by 
sight or touch, hooked the tish broadside ou. Mr. Clark stated that steelheads seem 
more plentiful from the middle of .Alay to the last of June, though he has seen some 
as early as the middle of April. They are so few in number that they are used for 
local consumption only. 

The run of the humpbacks is from July 15 to September 1. They spawn in the 
lower courses of the stream iu pools and eddies. At low water at the mouth of the 
river, and facing Tongass Narrows, there is a good seining beach, and it is here tliat 
the humpbacks are taken. Their average weight is 4 pounds. 

In 1897 Clark & Martin used in their fisheries 1 drag seine at Ketchikan and 1 
at George Inlet, each 150 fathoms long, 2f and 3 inch mesh, valued at $175 each; 2 
purse seiues at Quadra, 225 and 240 fathoms long, valued at *G0O each. From i to 
10 boats were used, aud 10 whites and 30 natives were employed. At Fish Creek in 
1694 500,000 humpbacks were taken; 246,000 iu 1895; 300,000 in 189U, and 5(t0,000 
iu 1897. In 1897 the run of humpbacks was almost unprecedented. At one haul of a 
seine 22,000 were taken. 

The price paid by the canneries to Clark & Martiu for fresh fish, delivered along- 
side the cannery steamer at the fisheries, was 75 cents per 100 for humpbacks, and 
$0.50 per 100 for redfish. If there was any call for dog salmon they received $3 per 
100 for them, but very few of this species are packed. 

In 1896 Clark & Martiu delivered to Loring cannery 248,258 humpbacks between 
July 24 aud August 31^ and in 1897, 318,000 humpbacks from Fish Creek, and l(i2,000 
humpbacks and 20,000 redfish from Quadra. In 1897 they salted, from Fish Creek, 
.500 half-barrels of humpback bellies; from Quadra, 700 half barrels of humpback 
bellies; from George Inlet, 300 half barrels of humpback bellies, and from scattering 
places, though mostly from George Inlet, 120 whole barrels of cohoes. 

WARD COVE. 

About 5 miles to the westward of Ketchikan a small bay known as Ward Cove 
makes in ofl' Tougass Narrows on the northern shore. A small stream empties iuto 
this cove, carrying annually about 2,000 redfish with some other salmon. There was 
formerly a saltery here, which was purchased by the Alaska Packers' Association aud 
partially dismantled. Some of the buildings are still standing, aud an Indian who 
makes his home iu the cove salts a few fish. 

The cannery at Loring obtained from Ward Cove in 1897, between July 24 and 
August 13, 1,.500 redfish, 600 cohoes, and 11,000 humpbacks. The stream was not 
examined. 

K. C.B.,1«9S 5 



6G KULLETIN (U' THE UNITED STATES KLSH CUMMISSIUN. 

METLAKAHTLA. 

Methikahtbi, or New Mctlakahtla, is situated on Port Gliester, on the western side 
of Annette Island. It consists of a comninnity of Tsim[)sean Indians who, in 1887, 
followed Mr. William Duncan from Metlakahtla, Dritish (Jolumbia, to make a home in 
Alaska. So much has been written of tliis interesting colony that a history of their 
progress is superfluous in this report. Suffice it to say, that aril honor is due to the 
energetic and intelligent civilizer and preacher, Mr. Duuean. In 185(i he found the 
Tsimpseaus hardened savages and cannibalistic in their tendencies, and was obliged 
to live inside a stockade for protection. After having brought them to a civilized 
condition through his own example and energetic teachings, some question arose in 
the church, and he deemed it best to retire. lie was followed by about -lOO of the 
community, and, as they were not allowed to carry with them their own belongings, 
they calmly faced the privations they were to endure in their new home, and to-day 
the Xew Metlakahtla stands a monument to their skill and industry and an honor to 
the self-sacriflcing devotion of their leader. 

Annette Island has been set aside by an act of Congress for a reservation for the 
Metlakahtlans and otiier Alaskan natives who may Join them, under regulations pre- 
scribed by the Secretary of the Interior. An attempt has been made by some influ- 
ential whites to open mines on the island. In 18!t0 the population of Metlakahtla 
was 823, of which number 817 were Iifdians, 4 whites, and 2 mixed. 

One of the principal industries of this community is salmon canning, which is carried 
on by an organization known as the Metlakahtla Industrial Company. When the colony 
moved to their new home in 1887, after the peoi)le were comfortably housed, Mr. Duuean 
commenced erecting buildings with a view to establishing a cannery. It took several 
years to obtain the necessary funds and install the machinery, and it was not until 
1890 that any pack was attem])ted. In that year an experimental pack of only 500 
cases was made. The following year it was in active operation and a pack of 5,834 
cases was the result. 

All parts and branches of tlie cannery and the fisheries supplying it are conducted 
by native Indians, who sliow considerable skill in the ditteient kinds of work. During 
the time of our first visit, June 10 to 12, they were making cans for the season's pack, 
rebuilding the steam tender, and some 30 or 40 women and girls were making seines 
and nets for the use of the community aiid for sale. All this work is done by the 
Indians, and apparently well done. 

The value of the cannery buildings, machinery, piping, tools, material, etc., is a 
little under .$25,000. In 1890 the product of 72 native fishermen was used, and during 
August 162 natives were employed in the cannery. In the fisheries they used 9 drag 
seines, each 100 fathoms in length, valued at $200 each; and 2 purse seines, 120 fath- 
oms long, worth $350 each. The vessels and boats employed were the steam tender 
Marie G. Haarvn (rebuilt in the spring of 1S97), valued at $3,000, of 12.8 net tons, and 
with a crew of 5; also 7 Columbia Kiver boats, valued at $180 each; 2 lighters at $150 
each, and 10 skitts, etc., at $30 each. 

The statistics for 1897 were about the same as for 1890, but besides the seines, 10 
gill nets were tried, 180 fathoms long, 4 fathoms deep, 5i-inch and Oinch mesh, and 
valued at $150 each; and iu addition to the, Murk G. llaartn, auother steamer, the 
Ecruhl, was purchased. This was of 19.4 net tons burden, had a crew of 5, and was 
valued at $7,000. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHEKIKS OF ALASKA. 67 

The following table shows tlie packs at Metlakahtla for ISOG and 1897: 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. 


■W/i ^f Number 


Value 
per 
case. 


Bate of packing. 


No. of 
cases. 


Date of i>acking. 




8, 280 * 12 
1, 500 6 ar 7 


$3.80 
3.40 
2.40 
3.00 


Julvl to Sept. 5.... 
Aug. 1 to Sept. 10... 
July 21 to Aug. 22 .. 
Julyl to Sept. 10 


7,090 
840 

7,260 
300 

15,490 


July 8 to Sept. 2. 
July20toSept. 2. 
July 20 to Aug.26. 






7,420 
450 


21 or 22 


Do-overa 






17, 650 















* Quadra redtisl) ran 8 to the case; those from Moira Sound, 15 to the < 



The average was about 12. 



The gill nets were not very successful, the failure being attributed to a too large 
mesh. Mr. Duncan thinks that 5 and 5.i inch mesh might have done better work. Gill 
nets have been tried all over Alaska and are now used with success only where the 
water is discolored; if the water is clear the tish see the net and the catch is small. 
In some places, where the waters are discolored, gill nets only are used. Of these 
places, there may be mentioned the mouths and approaches of the Unuk, Stikine, Taku, 
and Ghilkat rivers in southeast Alaska, Coi)per River, Cook Inlet, and the Bering 
Sea district. Fish can be taken in gill nets in other places, but where the water is 
clear other fishing methods are far more successful. 

The Metlakahtla cannery pays for redfish, according to locality, from $.5..50 to $7 
per 100; for cohoes, from $10 to $14 per 100, and for humpbacks, $1.50 per 100. Tiiese 
prices are unusually high. The redfish is, of course, the siiecies most sought for, but 
as the canneries increase in number and the output becomes larger, more humpbacks 
and cohoes are packed to fill up the cannery quota. 

The home stream at Metlakahtla lies about 2 miles north of the anchorage, insid(5 
of Copper Point. It is about 1^ miles long, 90 feet wide, and li' to 15 inches deep, and 
tiows in numerous rapids of easy ascent from the lake of which it is the outlet. The 
lake is about 3 miles long, half a mile wide, and has connected with it other smaller 
lakes, but does not appear to have any inflowing stream, being fed by falls and 
cascades. The banks of both stream and lake are wooded. The outlet is very rocky, 
and the lake is deep without much shelving; from report it has no extensive spawning- 
ground. 

The average number of redfish taken per year from around the mouth of this 
stream, for six years, was 8,000; the average time of the catches, from July S to August 
11 ; average weight, from Si to 4 pounds. A few hundred cohoes are taken from July 
22 to September 1. 

Off the mouth of the river, and well out in the bay, there seems to be a schooling- 
ground for humpbacks, of which the average catch for four years was .'38,000 per year, 
the run extending from July 2" to August 30. A considerable number are furnished 
for lo(;al use. 

On the eastern side of Annette Island, and opposite Mary Island, is another 
schooling ground for humpbacks. In 1803 the Metlakahtla fishermen took frum this 
locality, between August 1 and 2G, 140,000 humpbacks; in 1896, between August3 and 
22, 68,000; and in 1897, between July 27 and August 7, 29,000. 

The cannery ^t Metlakahtla has received redfish from Quadra and KahShakes 
also, though the latter stream furnished none here in 1896 and 1897. 



68 BULLETIN OK THE UNITED STATES FIlSlI COMMISSION. 

GEORGK AND CARROLL INLETS — THOUNE ARM — DUKE ISLAND. 

From George Inlet about ;>,(K)0 redflsh, of au average weight of 5 poiiiuLs, and 
occasionally a few coboes and humi)backs, are obtained. The redti.sh are taken from 
July 1 to August 1, the cohoes from the middle of July to the middle of August, and 
the hum])backs from July 20 to August 15. lu 1S97 none were I'eceived. The exact 
location of the redflsh stream was not ascertained, and it is generally said that only 
cohoes and humpbacks are found in George and Carroll inlets and in Thorne Arm. 

From Duke Island the Jletlakattla cannei-y receives about 3,000 redtisli, of an 
average weight of 5 pounds ; the earliest date given was July 7 and the latest August 
28. The streams furnishing these fish empty into the coves at Bay Anchorage, on 
the eastern side of the island. There are a great number of these small streams 
throughout Alaska capable of supplying 2,000 to 4,000 redflsh, but as a rule the 
canneries do not bother with them. Under favorable conditions the natives deliver 
the fish to the canneries or to the tenders in passing. 

TAMGASS HARBOR. 

Tamgass Harbor sup[)lies an average of 9,000 redflsh between July 2 and August 
12, though they have been taken as early as June 28 and as late as August 26. These 
redflsh run small, the weight being between 3A and 4 pounds. A few humi)backs 
(20,000 in 1897) have also been taken from this locality as early as July 17 and as late 
as August 20. The stream supplying these flsh is pu the eastern side of Tamgass 
Harbor, Annette Island. 

The other streams supplying fish to the Metlakahtla cannery are on the eastern 
side of Prince of Wales Island, in Moira Sound and vicinity, and will be referred to 
Jiereafter. 

HUNTER BAY. 

Hunter Bay is an arm of Cordova Bay, on the western shore of Prince of Wales 
Island, about 10 miles north of Point Marsh. It is about 2h miles long and from g to 
g mile wide, with a branch, about midway, extending to the northward. This bay, 
with the surrounding waters of Cordova Bay, on which, with its branches, are located 
the salmon streams fished by the Hunter Bay cannery from Point Marsh northward, 
is unsurveyed. 

The cannery operated by the Pacific Steam Whaling Company is on the northern 
shore of the bay, about l.J miles from the entrance and about !^ mile from the head, 
which receives a redfish stream. The building was commenced in March, 1S9G, and a 
sufficient plant was in position to make a jiack that year of 27,442 cases. A saltery 
formerly owned and operated on this site by Miller & Co. was purchased by the 
Pacific Steam Whaling Company, and removed to make room for the cannery. The 
main building, like all those of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, is 270 feet long, 
double-boarded, painted brown, and is roomy, well ventilated and lighted, in striking 
contrast with many of the other canneries. 

In 1896 the company employed 8 -white and 45 Indian fishermen, and in the can- 
nery 6 whites, natives, and 58 Chinese. They used 9 drag seines, average length 75 
fathoms, valued at $1.25 per fathom; 1 purse seine, 175 fathoms long by 12 fathoms 
deep, valued at $522, and another, 175 fathoms long by 7 fathoms deep, valued at .$ JOO. 

The tenders used were the tug Alice, of 20 tons net, crew 5, value $10,000, and a 
small decked launch, the Minnie jV., of 3 tons, crew 2, and valued at $400. There were 
also employed 3 lighters, valued at $100 each; 5 seine skifls, $50 each; 2 whaleboats, 
$85 each; 2 trap drivers, $750 each, and 2 purse-seine scows, $150 each. 



U S F C. 1898. (To face page 




'tftL-^z^'l 



SALMON STREAM, EAST SIDE, PORT CHESTER 






SALMON CANNERY. HUNTER BAY 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



(;9 



The cannery equipment in 1897 was the same as for 1S9G, except that, in addition, 
the steamer Cnlnmhia, 70 tons net, crew !), was chartered, and '■'> seines, 3 seine boats, 
and 27 tishermcn were employed. 

The following statement gives the pack of Hunter Bay cannery for 189(i and 1897 : 



Species. 


189G. 


1897. 


Dates. 


Nnm- 
Ijor of 
flsb per 


Num- 
ber of 


Approx- 
imate. 

number 
of fisb 
used. 


Dates. 


Num- 
ber of 
fish per 


Num. 
ber of 
eaaea. 


Redfish 

Cohoos 

Humpljacka . 


July 10 to Sept. 20.... 

Aug. 1 to Sept. 26 

Jiily21 to Aug.29.... 


10.3 
7 
19 


15, 386 
5, 6.54 
6,402 


159, 130 
39, 583 
121,641 


June 27 to Sept. 25.... 
Aug. 16 to Sept. 25.... 
July 6 to Aug. 31 


13 
7 
19 


13, 162 
5,300 
15,926 



In 1890 all the streams from Nichols Bay on the south to Hetta on the north, and 
including Dall Harbor and Essa\va,on Dall Island, were fished to supply this cannery. 
We visited all the streams in the district 
except those on Dall Island, wlii(;h fur- 
nished only 3,000 redflsh. As the can- 
nery had been operated only one year at 
the time of our visit, there -^vere no earlier 
stream records available from which aver- 
ages or general deductions could be made. 

Hunter Bay stream, which empties 
into the head of the bay about three- 
fourths of a mile from the cannery, is of 
considerable size. About one fourth of a 
mile above the cannery the bay narrows 
and shoals to the head, which is bor- 
dered by grassy plateaus, forming the 
banks around the mouth of the stream. 
It is a beautiful stream and runs over a 
bouldery bed, between rocky banks cov- 
ered with a dense forest growth, for a dis- 
tance of 4.J miles from its lake .source to 
the sea, in a general southeast and north- 
west direction. It is from 100 to li-'O feet 
wide and a foot deep. There are no ob- 
structions herenow, and the How of water, 
while rapid, is not much broken and affords an easy ascent for the fish. 

The lake is about three-fourths of a mile long by half a mile wide, is deep, and 
has a large inflowing stream near the upper or northern end, which is connected with a 
second long L-shaped lake on the northern side. The banks are heavily wooded. There 
were no means for examining the lake beyond the outlet, and the information in 
regard to the second lake and the entering stream is from local authorities. Judging 
from the flow at the outlet, the lake must receive a large amount of water. 

Mr. Miller states that this stream should yield 50,000 redfish; but in I89(i the 
cannery obtained, from July 10 to 31, only 5,318 redfish and 1,937 humpbacks; during 
August 2,300 redfish, 80,845 humpbacks, and 4,836 cohoes; in Sei)tember, up to the 
20th, 8,645 cohoes — a total of 7,018 redfish, 85,782 humpbacks, and 13,481 cohoes. 




sketch of Hunter Kay Lake System. 



70 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The catch iu 1S97 was: From July 6 to September 20, .'3,848 redfisli; from .hily Ul 
ro August 2(1, 44,501 cohoes. 

It was not learued whether the stream has ever been barricaded. 

The Huuter Bay stream and the one at Nichols Bay would no doubt aH'ord good 
sites for hatcheries, though careful examination is necessary to determine a point of 
this kind. There is an abundance of water (which would probably have to be filtered), 
-and an excellent place at each stream could be arranged to hold the fish till ripe. 
Usually the lake waters undergo a considerable change iu temi)erature during the 
summer, while the entering streams remain constant and low. Yet these entering 
streams can not always be utilized, because they are inaccessible and may not afford 
the abundance of fish which the mouth of the outlet does. The cannery company at 
Hunter Bay is considering the establishment of a hatchery, which will probably 
prov.e successful. With so many excellent sites for hatcheries, the first requisite in 
this country is accessibility; the second is plenty of fish of a large variety. Water 
can be obtained anywhere. 

Above the cannery, where the bay narrows and shoals toward the head, a trap 
was driven during our visit. Below the cannery an arm makes to the northward 
from the bay. At the end of this arm is a narrow passage, or " skookum chuck," as it 
is called in this country, leading into a bay which receivers a small stream carrying 
a few redfish; it was barricaded. About a mile beyond, on the northern side, is 
another lagoon making in from the bay, with the entrance obstructed by three islands. 
This was also examined, but no salmon stream of value was found. 

KLAKAS INLET AND STREAM. 

Near the entrance to Hunter Bay a long, deep bay called Klakas Inlet makes in 
a northerly direction for a distance of 12 to 15 miles. It is a beautiful sheet of water, 

with an average width of about 1^ 
miles. At the entrance, which is 
obstructed by islands and reefs, 
and on the end of the peninsula 
formed by Klakas Inlet and Huu- 
ter l>ay, is the Haida village of 
Klinkwaii, one of the older native 
settlements, and not yet under mis- 
sionary influence. It contains a 
large number of carved poles, other 
totcmic symbols, and a few of the 
old Indian community lodges with 
interior decorations. 

There is one red-salmon stream 
in Klakas Inlet, on the eastern 
shore, about 10 miles from Kliu- 
kwan. It is the outlet of a lake, 
and is about a mile long, from 20 to 
.30 feet wide, and 10 inches deep, 
with pools under (i feet in depth. 
The water iu this, as in all these lake outlets, is of a brownish tinge, probably from 
decomposed vegetable matter. At the liea.l of ti<le water iu the stream is a rapid. 




Skctili of Klakas Stream auil Lake. 



U S F C I89B iTo 





THE SALMO^^ AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 71 

which in a distance of 100 yards has a fall of about 20 feet. At this point a barricade 
of a form similar to those described has been built entirely across the stream, tlius 
eflectually preventing fisli from ascending;. 

The lake is 3 to o'i miles long by '^ mile wide. The waters seem deep and the 
shores are high and heavily wooded. There were no means for making a detailed exam- 
ination of it. The outlet at the lake is about 30 feet wide and 2 feet deep ; the current 
is strong. The banks are high, rocky, and heavily wooded. Besides the barricade, 
there are a number of log jams, through which fish may, however, find a passage. 

The Hunter Bay cannery obtained fish from Klakas in 1896 as follows: From the 
1st of July to the 31st, 3,932 redfish and 1,209 humpbacks; during August, 3,382 redtish, 
31,200 humpbacks, and 417cohoes; in September, up to the 20th, 2,240 cohoes; a 
total of 7,314 redfish, 32,4(59 humpbacks, and 2,6.")7 cohoes. 

In 1897 the following were taken: Redfish, 23,330, from July 4 to September 26; 
humpbacks, 108,031, from July 23 to August 31. 

The Klawak cannery (hereafter referred to) in 1887 took from Klakas 6,960 redfish 
between July 3 and September 13, and 2,370 from July 11 to 31, 1888. These are all 
the records obtainable. The stream is thought to have a capacity for 7,000 redfish. 

Between Klinkwan and Klakas are several small streams that contain a few 
cohoes and humpbacks. 

NICnOLS BAY AND TRIBUTARIES. 

This bay is on the southern extremity of Prince of Wales Island, with its entrance 
between Cape (Jhacon and Point Nunez. At the head of the bay a lake outlet dis- 
charges its waters, carrying red salmon (which are considered nearly equal in size to the 
Quadra fish) and cohoes. In a bight on the southern shore are the remains of an 
abandoned saltery established 
and operated by Mr. Miller, of 
Klinkwan, about 1889, and sold 
to the Pacific Steam Whaling 
Company. On the northern 
shore, and ojtposite the aban- 
doned saltery, is a stream with 
a large How, which has runs of 
humpback and dog salmon 
only; at its mouth, on the right 

bank, are several shacks and a 

, , ■ -vT t^-i . Sketch of Nichols Bay Lake System, 

smokehouse. No white people 

live in this vicinity. On Bean Island, near the entrance, are a num- 
ber of shacks in which some of the Kasaan Indians live during the 
halibut-fishing season. The chief of the Kasaans, Skowl, was at 
Nichols Bay at the time of our visit, and came on board with some of his followers. 
The only stream of value in this vicinity is the one emptying into the head of the bay. 
This stream is said to have been barricaded for six or eight years, and in examining 
it, at a short distance from its mouth a barricade was found which extended entirely 
across the stream. The day after the examination, men were sent from the Alhatro.is 
with blocks and tackles to pull out the barricade. The rails were removed, but they 
could not budge the beam. As salmon inspectors are expressly provided for the exe- 
cution of the law, and as nothing short of dynamite would eflectually remove the 
obstruction, the work was abandoned. 

Nichols Bay stream at the barricade (head of tide water) is about 60 feet wide, at 
thelakeoutletabout 150 feet, and wasat the time of ourvisitabontl2in(!hes deep. The 




72 



BUI-LETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



flow is quite rapid, with no natural obstructions to the passage of fish. The distance 
from the lake to the mouth is about a mile, and the stream flows over a rocky, bowldery 
bed. The banks are densely wooded, and the mountains abut close on either side, 
rendering a passage along them almost impracticable. Redflsh and cohoes formerly 
ran here in large numbers. 

There were no means of exploring the lake, the banks of which were impassable. 
So far as could be judged, it is about li miles long and one-fourth of a mile wide. The 
banks are not very high, and there seems to be a shore shelf before tlie rise to the 
higher nionntains. It was learned that Nichols Hay Lake has a large inflowing stream 
near its head, and near the mouth of this stream is a smaller one, connecting the first 
lake with a second or smaller one. This second lake has an entering stream, the con- 
nection with a third lake, and another stream connecting it (the second lake) with a 
fourth. The fourth lake is shallow, with pond lilies growing over it, and from its head 
there is a portage to a mud lake which has an outlet into the salt chuck at Hessa, on 
the western side of the island, about 5 miles to the northward of Point Marsh. Into 
this salt chuck another stream empties, also a lake outlet, which carries salmon and 
which will be referred to later. 

The following table shows the catch from Nichols Bay stream in 1896 and 1897 : 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. j 


Dates. 


Number 
of flsti. 


Dates. offish. 






31, 192 
550 




11,218 
1,313 
54, 772 












July 24 to Aug. 20. 









tyaoefee/ 



HESSA INLET. 

Hessa Inlet is about 7 miles southeast from Hunter 
Bay, and is a large landlocked bay or inlet, about i? miles 
long, approached by an entrance scarcely 100 yards wide, 
through which the tidal current rushes with such velocity 
that it can only be navigated near or at slack water. At 
the northern end of the bay is a fisherman's shack, and 
near it enters a small stream, the outlet to a shallow lake. 
This outlet is about half a mile long, 25 feet wide, and was 
about 8 inches deep at the time of examination ; it rises to 
the lake, about 10 feet above high water. 

The lake is of irregular outline and about 1 mile long, 
ramifying in various directions; it is shallow, with a rocky 
bottom partly covered with gravel or mud. This body of 
water is in many places surrounded by grassy and marshy 
banks. In the outlet, at the head of tide water, is a barri- 
cade across the full width of the stream built in the usual 
manner, but with the addition of 2-iuch-mesh wire netting, 
the whole forming such an effectual obstruction that not a 
single fish can pass upstream. A tree iiartly felled and 
ready to fall across the stream is on the right bank. 
:ives no catch of salmon from Hessa in 1800 except 5,215 
cohoes, taken in August and up to September 20, though the superintendent stated 




/m s/racA. 

Hessa Lake and Outlet. 
The cannery record 



ill. U S F. C. 1898 iTofare page 72. 1 




Bull U. S F. C 1898 iTo face page 72.) 




THE SAI-MON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 73 

that about 2,000 reclfish were also taken. JMr. Miller states that Hossa formerly 
yielded about 12,000 redfisb, but probably it would not yield that number now. 

The fishing for the cannery during 18!K> was all done by its own men. The tender 
called at several of the small fisheries to make a single load, and wlien the fish were 
discharged they Were all entered as coming from one place, the cannerynien not being 
interested in exact records. 

Below Hunter Bay is a small stream, called Tar, from which less than 1,000 cohoes 
are taken. 

NUTQUA INLET. 

This is a wide, deep indentation, which makes into Prince of Wales Island, about 
15 miles north and west of Klinkwan. At the upper end of the bay, on the eastern 
side, are a saltery, a dwelling, and some shacks formerly owned by Mr. Miller, but 
which were sold to the Pacific Steam Whaling Company. At the head of the bay, 
about 1 J miles from the saltery, is a narrow bowldery passage, less than a mile in length, 
which leads to a brackish lagoon. The level of this lagoon is a few feet below high 
water, so the passage is a " skookum chuck," through which the water runs in whirls 
and rapids almost constantly and with great velocity. The lagtion, or brackish lake, 
is 5 or 6 miles long by i mile wide, and has at its head the mouth of an outlet to a 
lake, which is said to be several miles distant. This outlet, it is reported, runs over 
a sandy and gravelly bed. During the visit of the party it was impossible to take 
the launch through the rapids into the lagoon, and a specific examination conld not 
be made during the limited time at our disposal. 

In 1896 the Hunter Bay cannery obtained from this place the following: During 
August, 150 redfish, 500 humpbacks, and 1,800 cohoes; during September, uj) to the 
20th, 700 redfish and 7,812 cohoes; a total of 850 redflsli, 500 humpbacks, and 9,442 
cohoes. 

In 1897, 8,086 cohoes were taken from August 26 to September 26. This probably 
does not represent the value of the locality, as it was not fished constantly during 
either season. It is essentially a coho stream, though the other species also occur. ' 

The s.altery was erected in 1895. It is about 80 feet long by 30 wide and is valued 
at $600; there are also 14 tanks worth $20 each, and some shacks valued at $200. The 
barrels used are nuinufactured on the place. No bellies are salted. In 1806 there were 
very few fish of any kind salted, and in 1897 none were salted. For saltery purposes 
the fishery has a capacity of 400 barrels a year. 

HETTA INLET. 

Iltftta Inlet is the next to the northward of Nutqua, parallel to it, and separated 
from it by the long, narrow peninsula which terminates in Lime Point. About 6 miles 
from the latter point, and nearly midway up the inlet an indentation or bay on the 
eastern shore receives at its head the outlet from lletta Lake. There is a shack at 
the month of the outlet, a house near by, and on the southern side of the bay a new 
house for the fishing crews of the Klawak cannery is located. The outlet runs east- 
northeast and west-southwest; it is only about one-fourth of a mile long from high- 
water mark to lake, and about 30 to 50 feet wide at low water, with an average depth 
of 8 inches. The bottom is rocky and the banks heavily wooded, as, in fact, is all of 
this country. There are several natural obstructions across the stream which could 
readily be utilized as barricades. There are no barricades in the stream now, though 
it is said that until a few years ago it was barricaded every year. 



(4 lui.i.F.riN OK TiiK rNirK.n statf.s i-isn roM mission. 

The lake is about 10 tWn above hisjh watov, aii«l is lA milos loiij;. Its lower part is 
oircnlar aiul 1 mile in width, the upper part ^ mile in width, ami all api>iueiitl,v (loei>. 
The general direi-tion is north by east and south by west. A low i>oint juts into the 
lake on the northwest side. At the upper end the shore is low. hea\ ily timbered, with 
some sjrassy spots, and with gravel and sand in ]>laees along the shore margin. On 
all other sides the mountains, trmn whieh a number o( cascades enter, are pr(H'ii>itous 
to the lake. A stream 10 feet wide, with an average depth of 4 inches, enters at the 
u]>iHM- end. It runs through bottom land over a sandy and gravelly tloor, and hius a 
number of pools. The outlet at the lake end is covered with driftwood, which, how 
ever, does not prevent tlie passage of tisli. 

If lletta stream has not received some accessions tVom oilier localiiics, it is jirob 
ably being overlished. It may be classed now as being able to yield l.">0.000 redtish. 
though under average conditions .">0.000 seems to be the limit. Fish have been taken 
as early as -lune 27 (1807^ and as late as September L'(5 (1807). During September, 
18!Ui. up to the L'Oth. 40,.")L'9 redtish were taken by the Hunter Ray eaunery, and were 
said to be in good condition. This late catch is attributed, however, to the dry season 
and the extreme low water in the stream, which prevented them Ironi ascending until 
after the September rains had raised the water, the result being that tish were held 
at the mouth and tiiken when desired. The September catch lor lS".t7 could not be 
obtained. 

lletta is one of the tirst-elass red-salmon streams in southeast Alaska, and ranks 
with Quadra and Nichols Bay. It has been lishcd by the Klawak cannery since lS8(i, 
and. with their home stream, has been the main source of tish siipjily for that cannery. 
When tishing for this cannery commenced here the rights of the Indian claiming the 
stream were recognized and a :20year lease was made with him at an annual rental. ' 
In ISOti, when the Hunter Bay cannery came into the tield, it is said the owners declined 
to make any agreement in regard to this tishery. and the Klawak cannery at present 
pays no rental. Hetta is now tislied by both canneries, and it is rejiorted that this 
year there was some trouble between the dilVerent tishing i>arties. This is mentioned 
simply to show how complaints arise, lirst on the part of the Indians and then on the 
part of the canneries. It usually results in the survival of the must |»oweri'iil corpo- 
ration, and the Indian goes to the wall. 

The foUowiug statistics show the Hett^i stieam catch since l.s.sc: 



Tear. 


Klawnk cannery. 


lliiutoi' l»»iy I'aiuioi'y. 




Speoiea. 


Dates. 


Ko. 


Batoa. 


Spooios. 


No. 


1887 


Kedfish 


Jnly 3 to Sppf, 14 

Julv 4 to Ahs.26 

Julv 6 to Aug. 28 

Jnl'v flto .\\n;.;S 

.liilv U t.. .lutvie.... 
.lul'v Hit.. Ani.'J2.... 
,lnlv U t.> An-.'.':l .... 

.llll'v 7to Aug. 31 

Jul.v :t to Aug. 24 

June 29 to Aug. 23 

July 7 to Aug. 30 


24. 022 
47,468 
48,585 
.•A 673 
1. 089 
51.479 
10, 580 
47, 769 
78,461 
104,603 
84,980 






















do 








do 




































do 








189S 

1897 


do 

do 

do 


■lulvlOtoSoi)t,20.... 
Juno27.toSoi>t,26.... 
AHg.22t«Sopt,28.... 
Jul7 20 to Aug. 31 .... 


Redllsh 

do 

Cohoos 

llumpbaoks . . 


96,«!>7 
114,798 
12, 964 




... do 






28, 196 













The increase in the catch for the last three years is remarkable. In lS!t."> it was 
uearly double the average of previous years. In lS9(i and 1807 it. was live times 
that average, and it must be remembered that in 18!)."> the stream was only lishcd for 
Klawak eannerv. It might be inferred that the increase was due to the two lishing 



11,1, U ■, ' , IHflH rT« (•r.o (»«(/" M,) 




THE SALJION AND SALMON FISHERIKS OF ALASKA. 75 

gangs, and therefore to overfishing, but the statement is made that there is a marked 
increase of fish in these waters, and that other streams in tliis vicinity have felt it. 
When qnestioned as to the probable canse, the fishermen claim that these streams are 
receiving the adult fisli prodnced by ^Ir. Callbreath's hatchery on Etolin Island, 
which was built and began operating in 1S!)2, turning out t!00,000 fry that year, and 
increasing until the present year, when al)Out 5,000,000 eggs were hatched. The 
stream on which this hatchery is located is known as a poor salmon sti-eam. There 
have been as yet no returns from tlie hatchery work, but the fishermen on the south- 
western coast of Prince of Wales Island believe that Mr. Callbreath's fish are coming 
to their streams. 

EEKE INLET. 

This is a small arm making into the peuinsula opposite Iletta and separating 
Hetta Inlet from Sukkwau Strait. It is narrow, about a mile long, and has a general 
east-and-west direction. About one-fourth of a mile from its head lies the mouth 
of a stream — a lake outlet — 15 feet wide ami about inches deep, which carries red 
salmon. At low water the stream discharges over a cascade, and about 100 yards 
from the entrance is a fall a few feet high, and which is about high-water mark. 
Above this the stream is sluggish and oi)ens into shallows and pools varying in width 
from 50 to .300 yards. A mile from the entrance the stream opens into the lake, which 
is about a mile long with a greatest width of half a mile. It lies at the foot of a 
mountain ridge and runs about west-northwest and east-southeast. The bottom of 
the lower part of the stream is clear rock; the upper part, where it opens out, could 
not be examined for want of time. Part of an old barricade was found between the 
entrance and high-water mark. 

The Klawak cannery has taken a few scattering redflsh here, but never more 
than 1,000 during a season. In 189(1 the Hunter Bay fishermen took 8,688 redfish 
from Eeke between July 10 and the latter part of August. In 1897 they caught 
9,21.3 redfish from July 1-4 to September 2G; 47.3 cohoes from August 10 to .31; 25,400 
humpbacks from July 31 to August 31. A few fish were salted here in 1890. 

The stream may be said to have an annual value of 7,000 redflsli. 

SUKKWAN. 

Leaving Eeke and passing around the point, up Sukkwan Strait to the westward 
about 5 miles, is the village of Sukkwau, consisting of a saltery aud about a dozen 
houses and shacks. The village is on a bay, al)out a mile long ami of the same width, 
at the head of which is the salmon stream. A few scattering redflsh only are taken, 
the run consisting of cohoes, and humpbacks; the former run from August 5 to Sep- 
tember 30, and the latter from July 20 to August 25. The Klawak cannery in 1890 
took 4,403 cohoes between September 5 and 7; and 607 in 1897, between August 21 
and 30. In 189C the Hunter Bay cannery obtaiued from Sukkwau 4,830 cohoes from 
the last of August to September 20; and in 1897 it took 3,317 cohoes from August 
24 to September 26. 

The saltery is operated by Banter & West, who this year (1897) packed about 300 
half-barrels of humpback bellies, selling their fresh fish principally to the canneries. 
So far as could be learned, this saltery has never packed more tlian 200 barrels; in 
1896 the output was 175 barrels of cohoes. 

They use one drag seiue, 70 fathoms by 6 fathoms, witli 23inch mesh. 



<•' HTLLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

KASSOOK INLET. 

Kassook Inlet extends into Snkkwan Island in a general northwesterly and south 
easterly direction from a point about 2 miles west of Jackson Island. It is about 2i 
miles long and from one-fourth to one-half mile wide. Near the head of the inlet on 
the western side a saltery was, at the time of our visit, in course of construction by 
Miller & Co., of Klinkwaii, with the intention of salting humpback bellies and selling 
redflsh to Loring and Klawak. An Indian shack is on the opposite side of the inlet. 




Saltery at Kassook. 

At the head of Kassook Inlet is the mouth of a lake outlet. It is only a small, 
shallow stream about 20 feet wide. At the point of high-water mark, where the width 
is about 20 feet between banks, is an old barricade. Above this the stream is rough 
and rocky, and flows from a rocky slough 200 yards beyond, which is a part of the 
lake and is about one-fourth of a mile long by 100 yards wide. This slough, as well 
as the lower part of the lake, is covered with pond lilies. 

The lake proper is about three-fourths of a mile long in a general northwest-by- 
west and southeast-by east direction, the upper part circular and about half a mile in 
diameter. The surface is only about 10 feet above high water. The shores are flat 
and wooded, grassy in places, especially near the feeders, of which there are several 
near the head and on each side of the outlet. There are some sand and gravel 
beaches. The entering streamlets average about 12 feet between banks, with a very 
slight flow at the time of our visit, but the indications are that they discharge a con- 
siderable amount of water during the rains. Around the mouth the bottom is sandy 
and expands into pools. The water of all these lake outlets is slightly discolored. 



Bull U S. F C 1858 i To face page 76 




Tllli SALMON AND HALMON FJKIIKKIKS Ol' ALASKA. 77 

Jt iHKsiid that ill prospecting this inlet weveral years af,'o 10,000 nidlisli were taken 
in two w(M;kK; but this Htatement sliould be received with caution, as no available 
recmdH b(!aritout. In 18!)7 the cannery at Klawak took from Ka.ssook .stream lyidl 
rcdlish; in 1X88 it took \,H'M rcdflKh from July 11 to 24, and a few hundred have been 
taken in Kub.sei|U(;nt years wln-ri the; cannery steamer witii a li.sliinf^ Kan;; was in that 
vii:inity. In IXlXi the Hunter I»ay cannery took 1,.'}10 rcdlish duiin;^ July; in 1897 it 
took 1,0.">1 rcdlish between July 11 and August 1, and 20,45(J humpbacks from Auj^ust 1 
to Au;{UHt .'51. 

A fair cHtimatc for the ca|)acit,y oi' the stream would be 4,000 rcdiisli. 

(;knkbal 1'kati;im;s oi-' iiuntkii hay EEfUON. 

'J'lic fore{,'oiiij.? streams (Nichols IJay, Ilessa, Tar, Hunter Hay, Klakas, Nutijua, 
Iletta, ICeke, Sukkwan, and Kassook) supply fish to the Hunter Hay cannery. In 
addition, there are two small streams on Hall Island, from which together only .'i,G00 
rcdlish were taken in 1890, and 812 in 1807. These were not visited. In 1897 the 
same cannery took al.so, from scattering localities in the I'egion, 7,88.j colioes from 
August 24 to .Se|)teniber 20, and 2.'>,020 humpbacks from July 20 to August .'51. 

The earliest led sahnon to arrive in the district are scattering individuals, which 
may be sec-n Jumping as early as June 20, in the vicinity of Hetta, where they seem to 
make their appearance befoie they do at Hunter Hay. liy July 4 small schools have 
usually arrived, and from the 8th to tiio loth they in<;rea.se in large numbc^rs until 
the height of the run, from ..'uly lo to 25. From the latter date to August I tliey 
conniienee to decrease, and aCler August 1 they are taken in connection with other 
salmon — cohoes ami iiiimpbacks — though they continue in good condition for packing 
until August 20. There is, however, great variation in the length of the runs on 
account of the small streams, which an; much influenced by wet and diy seasons, 
as instanced in 1890 (which was very <lryj, when red salmon were packed until the 
20th of September at the IlunUir iJay cannery. Thousands offish maybe held at the 
mouth of a stream by the low water, and the rain of a single night may raise the stream 
sullicieritly to allow the whole school to ascenrl in one body. The average weight of 
redfisli ))ack<!d at the cannery is under fi.i pounds. Those coming from Nichols Hay 
average nearly 8 jiounds. 

(Johoes are taken from August 1 to October "JO. Their run is chieliy between 
Augu.st 13 and .Septendjer 15. As the canneries close about Heptcniber 20, the last of 
the run is not j)aeked. The cohf)es average much larger than the redfish, but they 
also recpiire more water in tin; streams, and if the rains aie late the run is correspond- 
ingly extended. The average weight of cohoes packed at Hunter Hay cannery is 9 
jiounds, but some weigh as high as 20 ])ound.s. Cohoes are not very i)lentiful in any 
one place in Alaska, but they are found scattering in all localities. They have not 
been sought to any great (i.vtent, as the run is small and continues after the canneries 
clo.se. Next to the king, they are probably the best salmon for the table on the I'acific 
coast, either fresh or canned; but most people eat salmon by color and reject the coho 
because it is ]»ah;r than .some other species. 

IIunipbac,ks are taken in large niimbeis fiom July 2.'j to August 2'>, subject to 
variations due to the stream conditions, but .scattering fish are taken before anil after 
these dates. When this fish first comes in from the sea it is in excellent condition for 
canning, and remains .so for about a month; then it begins to deteriorate, the hump 
on the male growing rapidly, and the flesh becoming watery and poor. The average 



78 HULLKTIN OK THE UNITED STATES F1S}I COMMISSION. 

weight is from 3A to i pounds. Ou account of the pale coh)r the humpback is not in 
favor, and in fiict is considered a nuisance in salmon districts, yet it is used for salt 
bellies, and makes up the pa(;k ou short runs of other species. In my oj)inion, it is an 
excellent fish and will only be justly appreciated when the redflsh become scarce. 

Dog salmon run from August 1 to October 1, and are not used in this section. 

When the Hunter Bay cannery was built, in 1891!, the held was comparatively new 
with the exception of the stream at Hetta, which had been fished for years by the 
Klawak cannery. The other streams supplied the Miller salteries, and as they were 
acquired by the Pacific Steam Whaling Company the field was clear. The fisheries 
were conducted entirely by the cannery fishermen with cannery gear, and the product 
was received at the cannery at very little expense. It is said that the output for 
1896 paid largely for the plant. In 1897 some flsh were purchased at the rate of $G 
per 100 for redflsh and 50 cents per 100 for humpbacks. 

In 1897 the strong opposition of cannery interests brought a competitor into this 
field. During our visit a saltery was in process of construction in Hunter Bay by the 
Alaska Packers' Association, as a branch to their Loring cannery. It is on the 
southern shore of the bay, a mile from the entrance. The output in 1897 of salt tish 
from this establishment was 500 half-barrels of humpback bellies and 500 barrels of 
redflsh and cohoes. 

At Wraiigell a gentleman connected with the customs service reported that a stream 
on Dall Island was tightly barricaded. He bad passed by Hunter Bay while we were " 
there, en route to Howkan on duty, and it was probably on this trip that he visited 
Dall Island. 

The stream at Hetta probably ofters a good locality for a hatchery for this section. 
There is a large supply of flsh and i)lenty of water, which, however, would have to be 
tested for temperature. The drawback is that it is not accessible, being off the calling 
routes of steamers. 

MOIRA SOUND — KEGAN. 

From Nichols Bay, around Cape Chacon, on the eastern coast of Prince of Wales 
Island, no streams are flshed for the canneries until Moira Sound is reached, the 
entrance to which is 21 miles northward of Cape Chacon. 

The stream called Kegau (the name of the Indian who claims it) empties into the 
western end, at the head of the flrst bay on the southern side of Moira Sound, about 
3i miles from Egg Island. The entrance to the bay is somewhat obstructed by islands 
and rocks. At the head of the bay, near the mouth of the stream, are several good 
seining beaches, and on the right bank, near the entrance, is a fisherman's house, a 
shack in which are stored seines and nets, two canoes, and a huge seine boat. 

The stream is a lake outlet, about 2 miles long, flowing iu a general northwest 
direction. It has an average width of 30 feet between banks, and when visited was 
3 inches deep over a 10 foot riffle. Immediately aboVe high-water mark there is a 
runway 75 feet long, 8 feet wide at the lower end and 12 feet at tlie upper, constructed 
of stone and rails. Its use was evident, for on the banks four Indian traps were 
found constructed of split poles and withes, tubular in form, fuunel-shaiied at 
the lower end, about 15 inches in diameter, and at least 15 feet long, closed at the 
smaller end. They arc no doubt used iu the runway. Half a mile above this point 
are the remains of an old barricade, and 50 feet above this, where the stream passes 



Bull U. S F. C. 1898. (To faco page 7 




FISHING CAMP, SOUTH SIDE OF MOIRA SOUND. 




A TRIBUTARY TO HE.TTA LAKE, 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



79 



betweeu two rocky points about 25 feet apart, is a barricade of more recent build, with 
portions of tlie central slats removed, probably by the action of the stream. It is 
constructed in the ixsual manner, with the top log- about 5 feet above the surface of the 
water. The bottom, from the high-water mark to this point, is composed of fine gravel, 
continues coarserfor half a mile, and is then rocky, with rapids and low falls, to the lake. 

The lake is 
about 40 feet 
above high wa- 
ter, about 1| 
miles long, and 
from one fourth 
to one-half of a 
mile wide, and 
has a general 
northwest and 
southeast direc- 
tion. The shores 
are heavily 
wooded and 
rocky, and the 
bottom around 
the mouth of the 
outlet is gravel- 
ly. On the south- 
ern side, near 
the outlet, a 
grassy slough, 
about three- 
eighths of a mile 

long and 50 yards wide, makes out from the lake. There were no me;ius to make a 
thorough examination of the lake, but from the outlet the shore at the head looked 
as if it were grassy at the edge, with two streams entering, the main one coming from 
the southwest. 

The following is the record of the salmon catch of this stream from 1892 to 1897, 
both inclusive: 




^^^Ca/77 or 



Sketch of Kes:m Lake au<l Outlet. 



Tear. 


Kedflsh. 


Cohoes. 


Humpbacks. 


Dates. 


Kumbcr. 


Dates. 


IN umber. 


Dates. 


Number. 


1892 

189-.! 

1894 


July 15 to Aug. 23 

July 25 to Aug. 30 

July 13 to Aug. 23-... 


16, 795 
10, 265 
18.739 
27, 950 
29, 775 
23, 281 


Aug. 5 to Aug. 23 

Aug. 17 to Aug. 30... 
Aug. 3to Aug. 23 


191 
324 
362 

384 
840 




6,305 

5,446 
47,500 


July 30 to Aug. 12.... 




1896 

1897 


July 10 to Aug. 31 ... . 
July 21 to Sept. 2 


Sept. 5 to Sept. 9 

July 21 to Sept. 2 


July 27 to Aug. 21 ... . 
July 21 to Aug. 28 



It seems that about 20,000 redfish can be taken from this stream annually. LTutil 
189<i it supplied Metlaktihtla exclusively; but Loriug received 2,528 redfish in that 
year and 7,137 redfish, 250 cohoes, and 29,500 humpbacks in 1897. 

There are no houses on Moira Sound having permanent occupants, and as no one 
could be found in the locality our work was somewhat retarded, the information pre- 



80 



liULLETlN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



viously obtaiued from tbe Indians being rather indeliuite. We therefore explored all 
the streams, and by this time our parties were sufliciently expert to recoj;iii/.e the 
red-salmon streams by certain signs, whether the tish were running or not. 

OLD JOUNSON STREAM. 

The next redfish .stream in the Moira Sound region is known as Old Johnson 
Stream. It empties into a V shaped indentation on the northern shore of Moira Sound 
opposite the entrance of the bay into which Kegan Stream empties, 3i miles in a straight 
line from Egg Island. This indentation opens into a very pretty basin, into the upper 
end of which the stream empties with a fall of a few feet. On the northern side of the 
basin, near the mouth of the stream, are two houses, in which were found seines and 
fishing gear, a canoe being housed near by; and on the same side, near the entrance 
to the basin, is a fishing shack. The general course of the stream is west-soutliwest. 
It is about a mile in length, and 30 feet wide between rocky and heavily wooded banks. 
It carries considerable water, with a strong current for the greater part of its course. 
Inside the mouth is an island, the stream widening out above, forming a cove on the left 
bank, which is crossed by a footbridge. Above this it contracts again, but at two other 
points it expands into shallows 150 yards wide. On the left bank, abreast the island, 
a tree has been felled across, and above the footbridge split rails and heavy gratings, 
5 by 8 feet, were found, which, when applied to the fallen tree, would form a barrier. 

The outlet at the lake is much obstructed by a natural barrier of drift. The lake 
was not examined, but judging from tbe flow at the outlet it must receive a large 
amount of water. It is approximately 4 miles long and 2 miles wide, with moderately 
steep, rocky sides. Two branches were noticed to the right and left, which may be 
entering streams connecting with other lakes, or they may embrace an island. 

The following is the record of this stream for six years: 



Tear. 


Kedflsh. 


Coboea. 


Humpbacks. 


Dates. 


No. 


Dates. No. 


Dates. No. 


1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 


July 18 to Aug. 8 

July 22 to Aug. 15 

July 11 to Aug. 15.... 
July 15 to Aug. 17.... 
July 8 to Aug. 21.... 
July 19 to Sept. 1 


4,482 
4,119 
11,863 

15, 558 
10, 798 
8,428 








July 25 to Aug. 25. . . . 15, 329 
Aug. 6 to Aug. 15.... 4,083 
July 20 to Aug. 16 ... . 3, 287 

July 28 to Aug. 2 14,352 

July 19 to Aug. 28. . . . 54, 765 


I 


1 


Sept. 8 ' 260 

July 27 to Sept. 13.... 2,521 



The fish from this stream went exclusively to Metlakahtia until 1896. In that 
year the Loring cannery received of the above catch 3,600 redfish, and in 1897, 3,434 
redti.sh, 1,100 echoes, and 38,000 humpbacks. 

The capacity of the stream is about 10,000 redfish. 

OTHER STREAMS OF 3I0IRA SOUND REGION. 

On the long arm to the southward in Moira Sound, and about 2 miles from its 
head, on the eastern shore, is the mouth of a stream which, at the time of our visit, 
was very low. The distance from high- water mark to low- water mark is one-fourth of 
a mile. The stream between banks is from 30 to 50 feet wide, but the flow over a log 
was only 5 feet in width and 2 inches in depth. From appearances, in heavy rains, it 
carries a large amount of water, as it seems to drain a high mountain system. The 
stream is tortuous, but has a general west-by-south and east-by-north direction. For 



U S F C I5MR (To face page 80 ) 




WIDENING OF STREAM DRAINING LARGE LAKE, NORTH SIDE OF MOIRA. SOUND. 




SPAWNING BEDS IN STREAM NEAR HEAD OF SOUTH ARM, MOIRA SOUND, 



THK SALMON AND SALMON FISHEItlKS OF ALASKA. 



81 



a few liunilred yards at the mouth tlie banks are open and };rassy and then heavily 
wooded. The bottom is of sand and j^ravel, the water spreadinj.? over it, with deep 
holes in plaees and very little eurreiit. It Hows between two mountains, tins northern 
beinjj wooded to the toj), the southern about 2,(KH( feet higli and wooded to a heij;htof 
abouti oOO feet; above this it was bare, with snow patches. The stream was examined 
for about three fourths of a mile in a straiglit line, and no lake was discovered from a 
hill from which a view could be obtained. There 
were no barricades, exce[)t a few natural obstruc- 
tions formed by fallen trees against which drift 
had fouiul lodgment. The water is clear. About 
the mouth are excellent seining beaches. From 
the absence of fishing shacks and gear and barri- 
cades in the stream, and the clear water, it was 
concluded this was purely a liuinpback stieani, 
and this sup[)osition was afterwards coutirmcd i)y 
a Kasaan chief, iSkowl, and cannerymen. 

At the head of this southern arm of Moira 
Sound are two small brooks emptying into sei)a- 
rate bights. The one to the eastward is a moun 
tain stream flowing over a rocky bottom, and has 
its soui'ce in the vicinity of the bare mountain 
])reviously mentioned. This bight has, at its 
head, a line gravel beach about half ii nule long, 
bordcTed by a grassy bank iOO yards wide, with 
the heavy timber beyond. Moderately high hills 
surround the inlet. 

The western stream flows into a siuular bight, 
where there is a long gravel beach at low water. 
The shore is grassy, with salt-water pools through 
it. The bottom of the stream is rocky, and it has 
its source in the back hills. Both streams had 
very little flowing water, but as they drain a hill 
(!oautry, it is probable that they are greatly 
swoUeu during rainy weather. They are both 
humi)baek streams. 

At the western extremity of Moira Sound are 
two inlets, the southern one having at its head a 
small brook running over a slaty bottom. The 
head of the arm aud a large part of the northern 
beaches are gravelly. This is not a redfish 
stream, but probably contains humpbacks and a 
few cohoes. 

These are all the streams that enter Moira Sound, and the only ones that contain 
redfish are Kegan and Old Johnson. The cohoes and hurn|)backs credited to these 
two streams probably come, in part, from the other streams. It is the custom to estab- 
lish fishing-camps on redfish streams and to fish all others in the vicinity for the 
different species. 




Vicinilv of Old .lobi 



82 



lULLE'lIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



NIUI.ACK ANCHORAGE. 

Niblack Ancliorage, between North Arm and Moira Sound, has a stream entering 
about nndway on the northern shore behind a liiyhtide ishin-,1 wliieli forms a i)art of 
the inner harbor. It is of hirge vohime, about half a mile long and 30 feet between 
banks, and Hows with considerable velocity over rapids and falls. No stream could 
be seen tiowing into the lake at its head and the latter seems to be fed by cascades, 
one of which is quite large. The shores are for the most part precipitous, rocky, and 
inaccessible except by boat. The Kasaan Indians say that no redflsh are taken here 
and there are no signs that it is a redflsh stream. It is probable that salmon can not 
work their way over the falls and rapids. 

NOWISKKAY. 

jSfowisk-Kay is the name at present given to the stream which flows from the lake 
into North Arm. It is a little over a mile in length, averaging 30 feet in width by 18 
inches in depth, and has a general east and-west direction. An Indian of that name 
claims to be the owner of the stream. The bottom is rocky, covered with bowlders, 
and the banks are precipitous, rocky, and heavily wooded. About 500 yards from the 
mouth are the remains of a barricade — a tree had been felled, cat to make a tight tit 
in the rocky ledges on either side, and then supported in the usual manner. ]\Iost of 

SAacJt 




Sketch of Nowisk-K;iy Stream. 

the split rails had been removed or cai'ried away by freshets, but a large number of 
poles or rails, such as are used for the toj) course of a barricade, were found near 
the bank, some of them uewly cut. On the northern bank, near the barricade, were 
found two large rolls of wire netting, apparently recently placed there. With these 
means at hand it is ])robafale that two men in a day's work could have effectually 
barricaded the stream. 

There were no means available to examine the lake. From the head of the outlet 
all that can be seen is an arm about 2 miles long and 200 to 300 yards wide, which is 
probably the connection with the lake proper. It is about 20 feet above the sea level, 
has steep, rocky banks, and appears deep. Judging from its flow at the outlet it must 
receive a large body of water, either from inflowing streams or other lake connections. 

The following is the fishing record of Nowisk-Kay Stream for six years: 



Tear. 


Redflsh. 


Cohoes. 


Humpbacks. 


Bateb. 


No. 


Bates. 


No. 


Dates. 


No. 

2, 965 
10,485 
808 
772 
11, 864 
7,771 


1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 


July 13 to Aug. 6 

July 31 to Aug. 31..-. 

July 14 to Aug. 23 

July 16 to Aug. 16 

Julv 15 to Sept. 6 

July 19 to Aug. 30 .... 


3,168 
6,671 
8,346 
14,653 
12, 885 
36, 934 






July 29 to Aug. 6 

July 28 to Aug. 16 .... 

July 30 to Aug. 9 

July 26 to Aug. 1 .... 
July 27 to Aug. 21 .... 
July 22 to Aug. 19 .... 


Aug. 17 to Aug. 31 

July lOto Aug. 23 ... 


200 
1,002 




102 
595 


July 19 to Aug. 30 



, U, S- F. C, 1898, (To face page 82) 



Plate 32. 




LAKE NEAR NIBLACK ANCHORAGE. VIEW UP LAKE 




CASCADE IN STREAM DRAINING LAKE NEAR NIBLACK ANCHORAGE. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



83 



The fish from this stream were supphed exclusively to Jletlakahtla until ISltC). lu 
that year Loriug received of the above catch 1,000 redflsh, and in I8!»7 about half of 
the catch, except the humpbacks. The catch seems to be increasing in recent years, 
possibly from more vigorous Ashing. It probably yields 15,000 redfish annually. 

PETER .JOHNSON STREAM. 

' The small inlet ou the north shore of Point Adams was visited by portage from 
North Arm, but no stream was found. After leaving the locality it was learned that 
a red-salmon stream is located ou the inlet. It is known as the Peter Johnson Stream, 
and will be the subject of a future examination. The flsh from this stream are very 
small. The record for six years is as follows: 



Tear. 


Redfish. 


Cohoes. 


Humpbacks. 


Dates. 


No. 


Dates. 


No. 


Dates. 


No. 


1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 


July 8 to Aug. 18.... 
July 10 to Aug. 29.... 
July 18 to Aug. 23 .... 
July 6 to Aug. 10.... 

July8 toAug.2 

July 6 to Sept. 2 


8,434 
17, 154 
15, 525 
17. 874 
21, 700 
26, 310 


Aug. 6 to Aug. 18 


1,310 

2,329 
1,979 
1,900 
2,957 




1,754 

1,465 
8,000 
10,016 


Aug. 5 to Aug. 15 


July 25 to Aug. 23 ... . 
JulV 26 to Aug. 30 .... 

: to Sept. 10 ... . 

July 19 to Sept.9 


July 24 to Aug. 2 

Aug. 3 to Aug. 21 .... 
July 20 to Aug. 21 



The above-mentioned flsh were supplied exclusively to Metlakahtla until 1896. 
Loriug received {!,300 redfish iu that year, and 10,l(i9 redtish and 1,.'J00 humpbacks in 
1897. The average catch of redtish, as indicated in tliis re( ord, is 17,833 per year. It 
is believed, however, that the stream can produce at least 25,000, and a conservative 
estimate would be 20,000. 

All these streams, from Kegan to Peter Johnson, are known as the Moira Sound 
streams, and are fished by the Indians claiming them, the product being sold to the 
canneries, except in the case of Loring. This cannery has purchased flsh and sent 
fishing gangs to the locality. Drag seines are used iu making the catch. 

Eeference has previously been made to the great ditference in the weight of fish 
in different streams, and Moira Sound otters a striking example. The redfish from 
Kegan average about 5 pounds, those from Old Johnson, on the opposite side of the 
sound, run 6 pounds, and from Nowisk-Kay 7 pounds, the largest in the h)cality, while 
those from Peter Johnson run 3| to 4 pounds, the same as the Metlakahtla home 
stream and Tamgass Harbor. These are probably the smallest redfish in Ala.ska 
except those from Necker Bay, Barauof Island. 

No reference has yet been made to the availability for hatchery purposes of the 
Moira Sound streams. At all the redfish streams fish, which could be easily corralled 
until ripe, are abundant and plenty of water can be obtained by gravity. The 
locality is inaccessible, being ott' the steamer routes; but the only real questions are 
the necessity of filtering the water and the range of temperature of water during the 
hatching season. As previously reinarked, all the redfish streams in southeast Alaska 
have discolored water, and wherever lake water is used for hatchery purposes it 
should probably be Altered. A series of observations would be necessary to determine 
the suitability of the waters as regards temperature. The sun during the summer, 
when it does shine, warms the surface water considerably, and ou being conveyed 
dowu a shallow stream the temperature is further increased. 



84 



HULI.liTlN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



CHOLMONDELEY SOUND ANIJ KITIIRAUM STREAM. 

Gholmoudeley Souud is the next body of water to the northward. Here there is 
but one red-salmon stream, those entering the heads of the other arms and inlets 
carrying only a few cohoes, humpbacks, and dog salmon. 

Kithraum Stream tiows into the head of the narrow inlet about -! miles long that 
makes to the southward and eastward of Dora Bay, Cholmondeley Sound. It iJ; 
about half a mile long and 15 feet wide, tiowiug with a strong current in a general 
northwest direction from a lake of which it is the outlet. The bottom and banks are 
rocky, and from its general appearance a large amount of water is discharged during 
the rainy season. 

The outlet at the lake is badly choked by drift. No evidences o^ barricading 
were found. There are two lakes, each about a mile long and a half to three-quarters 




Sketch of Kithr.auni Stream. 

of a nnle wide. The first is joined to a second by a i>assage about 60 yards across 
and extending in a general southeast and northwest direction. The lakes are 
surrounded by high, snow-covered mountains. The second lake has an outlet or wide 
passage at its southwest end, which was choked and prevented further examination 
in the very small canoe at our service. There was also a heavy jam of timber in the 
connecting passage. The iulet in the southwest end may lead to a third lake or 
receive an entering stream, but nothing could be seen. The waters of the lakes 



U S F. C. 1898 iTo face pase 84 1 




iull. U S. F. C 1898. iToface page 84) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



85 



appeared deep find were slightly discolored. At the month of tlie stream were two 
shacks and some fishing gear. The fish are sold to Metlakahtla. 
The records for three years are as follows: 



Tear. 


Bedfisli. 


Cohoes. 


Humpbacks. 1 


Dates. 


No. 


Dates. 


No. 


Dates. 


No. 


1894 

1896 

1897 


July 17 to Ang. 18.... 

J alv 8 to Aug. 22 

July 19 to Aug. 27.... 


6,972 
5,095 
9, 000 


Aug. 4 to Aug. 14 

(Dates not kuown) 

Aug. 17 to Aug. 27 


281 

44 
600 


Aug.4 to Aug. 11 

.Inly 28 to Ang. 20.... 
July 21 to Aug. 21 .... 


9,810 
8,914 
3,800 



rr/6c//ari 



The average catch is 7,222 redfish, and the stream could probably supply 8,000 
per year. The stream is claimed and fished by an Indian, Kithranin. 

From Nichols Bay to and including Cholmondeley Sound there seemed to be no 
permanent dwellings. 

SKOWL ARM AND OLD TOM STREAM. 

We next came to the territory fished exclusively for Loring, and including Skowl 
Arm, Karta Bay, and Kasaan Bay Stream. 

Skowl Arm has two redfish streams, neither 

producing a large number. 

Old Tom Stream has its mouth at the head 
of the first bight immediately west of the first, 
long deep inlet opening into Skowl Arm from 
the southward. It is opposite Kasaan village. 
The stream enters the eastern side of the bight, 
where a small inlet is formed, having a narrow 
entrance and opening out into a grassy flat one- 
fourth of a mile long and one-eighth of a mile 
wide. High water extends about 200 yards 
above the entrance. In the small inlet there are 
good gravel seining-beaches. At the mouth of 
the stream ou the right bank are two shacks, a 
smokehouse, a canoe, seine boat, fish float, and 
some fishing gear. There were no evidences of 
barricading in the stream, which is tortuous, 
and has a general north and-south direction. 
For 1^ miles the bed is fine sand and gravel, 
with rocky riffies. Its width diminishes from 
30 feet to 15 feet, and it rises about 20 feet in the 
distance named. Then for three-eighths of a 
mile it runs as a rapid over a rocky bed, at the 
end of which is an almost perpendicular fall of 
about 20 feet, with a deep pool below. The fall 
in this reach is about 40 feet. For half a mile 
above the fall the stream diminishes rapidly in 
volume and runs over a rock and gravel bottom. 

Considerable water drains from the western side, which is an open grassy and wooded 
slope. Ou the eastern side tlie mountains come to the bank of the stream. About 
halfway up, the stream, in running over a log, was noticed to be 10 feet wide and 2.-i 




Sketch of Old Toiii Streiini. 



86 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES KISH COMMISSION. 



iuclies deep. In several i>laces there are natural obstructions formed by drift. About 
a mile from the mouth it receives from a grassy flat filled with pools a small tributary 
on the left bank. This tributary was examined for one fourth of a mile in a general 
westerly direction and found to be simply a rill flowing between pools, with grassy 
banks about 5 feet apart. The bottom generally was sandy, with vegetable sediment 
in the pools. The water is dark, and discolors the main stream, which above is clear. 
The only records of Old Tom Stream available are for 1896 and 18!t7, and are 
taken from the cannery books at Loring: 



Tear. 


Species. 


Dates. 


Number. 

I 








2,310 
1,925 

3,000 
600 























The Indians state that in 1896 about 4,000 redfish were taken from this stream, 
and that the tributary is a lake outlet. The party examining it found no lake, unless 

the pools and shallows form a lake during the 
sAoiy/ rainy season. The annual yield of the stream is 
-^-^^- - probably about 3,000 redfish, averaging 5 pounds 
in weight. 

BROWN AND JOHNSON STREAM. 

On the western shore of Skowl Arm, where it 
bends to the southward, and opposite the northern 
end of a large island, is the mouth of the Brown 
& Johnson Stream. It is about li miles long, 30 
feet wide, and rises about 50 feet above high water 
to the lake of which it is the outlet. It flows in 
a general north-northeast direction from the lake, 
with a strong current, over a bottom which is 
generally rocky and bowldery, but in some places 
sandy and gravelly. It is comparatively free from 
natural obstructions. 

A few hundred yards within the mouth are 
the remains of a barricade of the usual construc- 
tion. The central poles have been removed or 
carried away, but could easily be replaced. 
About halfway up, the stream falls in a cataract 
8 feet high. The lake is approximately half a 
mile long by 400 yards wide. It lies in a marshy 
basiu, though the center seems deep and there 
are some sloping sandy beaches. It is fed by 
small streams, with sandy and gravelly bottoms. 
At the head is a narrow inlet, but on account 
MarjA\[fi/e/. of having no facilities at hand it could not be 

Sketch of Brown A Johnson Stream, examined. It may connect with another lake or 

with an entering stream. The volume of water at the outlet indicates there must be 

some large feeder. 




THE SALMON AND SAI-MON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. S? 

The only available records of this stream are from the cannery books at Loriug: 



Tear. 


Species. 


Date. 


Number. 








2,310 

1,925 

1.770 

7U0 
























Skeleton of the Uoating iish-hoiise at Skowl Arm. 

Brown & Johnson Stream should produce about 2,000 redflsh per year, all of 
which go to Loring. The average weight of the fish is about 5 pounds. 

There are other salmon streams at the ends of the arms making to the southward 
from Skowl Arm, but they contain only cohoes, humpbacks, and dog salmon. The 
village of Kasaan is situated on the northern shore of Skowl Arm, .3 miles within the 
entrance and out of the steamer track. Some of the old houses remain and many 
interesting totem poles may be seen. 

KARTA BAY. 

Karta Bay is at the northwestern end of Kasaan Bay (called Kasan Bay on 
Chart A), of which it forms a part. The saltery on the cove directly east of Karta 
Bay proper, known as Karta Bay or Baronovich Fishery, was one of the first operated 



88 Hri.[>ETIN OF THK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

in southeast Alaska. A redfish stream empties into tlie head of Karta Bay about a 
mile from the saltery. A Greek, or Slav, Baronovicli by name, many years ago married 
the daughter of Skowl, one of the old-time chiefs of the Kasaans, and received from 
him this fishery, which has been one of the most productive in southeast Alaska. 
Baronovich lived at the saltery, where he packed fish (about 400 barrels a year), kept a 
store, and traded with the Indians. He died some years ago. The saltery, wharf, store 
building, and several houses are still standing, but all are deserted. Baronovich's 
sons, who during our visit were there to conduct the season's fishing, weie housed in 
shacks in a bight on the eastern shore of Karta Bay proper. 

For a number of years the Cutting Packing Company, then operating the cannery 
at Loring, leased the stream, paying $300 a year to the widow of Baronovich, but in 
ISflS, when the cannery passed into the hands of the Alaska Packers' Association, the 
lease was relinquished. The run of 1892 was so small that it did not warrant the 
cannery in holding the stream. On account of the low price of salt fish, the saltery 
has not been Iti operation, except in a desultory way, for a number of years. The 
Baronovich sons have still about 100 barrels of a lot salted at a loss a i'ew years ago. 
This year (1897) they salted 41 half-barrels of humpback bellies. 

It appears that one of the first chiefs of the Kasaans, Sanhite (Billy Wilson), 
also has Indian fishing rights in the Karta Bay stream, and, with his fishing crew, con- 
ducts a separate fishery. He has a large house at Kasaau, but during the summer 
season lives in the Indian village at the mouth of the stream, where there are about 
a dozen houses and shacks. 

It is said that during the lease of the stream by the Loring cannery it was barri- 
caded, and that an Indian was paid $2 a day to keep the barricade perfectly tight. 
The cannery people say that the fencing was done by those claiming the fisheries. It is 
also said that on account of the rapid decrease of salmon the barricade was removed in 
1892, which explains the big run in 1890 ; in 1893 the stream was closed, and a small run 
in 1897 was expected. The stream has been open since 1893. 

At Loring it was positively stated that the Karta Bay stream was barricaded in 
1892, that it was open in 1893 and 1894 and very little fishing done, and was probably 
closed in 1895. 

In 1896 the cannery steamer took to Loring from this stream 84,545 redflsh. Of this 
number Baronovicli Brothers sold about 47,000, and Sanhite about 37,000. The price 
paid was $5..50 per 100. The fish are said to be of a large variety and to run 7 pounds 
in weight during the season. At the time of our visit about 100 redfish were taken 
at one haul ; 25 of these averaged 6h pounds, the largest 9 pounds, the smallest 5 
pounds. Tlie Indians state, however, that the first fish are always small and that 
they average much higher as the run increases. 

KARTA BAY STREAM. 

Karta Bay Stream is said to have perhaps the earliest run of redfish in southeast 
Alaska. Fishing has commenced here on June 4, though that was an exceptionally 
early date. In 1897, on June 13, some salmon having been seen Jumping, a haul was 
made and 100 redfish were taken. No other haul was made until June 25, when fiOO 
were taken and sent to Loring. It is a great, wide, beautiful stream, with a large 
volume of watei- that comes tumbling down over the rapids with considerable velocity, 
and is more worthy of the name of river than the streams previously visited. 



Bull U. S. F. C 1898 (To face page ! 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



89 



The bed of the stream is rocky, interspersed with bowhlers and coarse and fine 
gravel. The banks are rocky and precipitous and covered with heavy undergrowth. 
Mountains impinge close on the banks. From the Indian village the general course 
of the stream is to the southwest, and, with its meanderings, it is about 4 miles to 
the lake, the distance in a straight line being about 3 miles. It varies from 100 to 
300 feet in width. About one-fourth of a mile from tlie mouth is an Indian shack in 
ruins, and stored inside were a number of Indian traps and large gratings, which, in 
some places, are used for barricading streams. 
Ilere the river is about 100 feet wide, and the 
runway in which the traps are used is located at 
this point. The traps and runway, which are of 
similar construction to those described under 
Kegan, appear not to have been used for some 
time. For 2 miles below the lake outlet the 
stream runs over solid rock, in falls and rapids a 
few feet high, with pools below. The highest 
rapids are at the lake outlet, where the stream 
drops 1-! feet in 150 feet. It is here divided into 
two parts for 100 yards from the lake by a, rocky 
ledge forming several islets. It is not much over 
130 feet across at this point, and is 4 feet deep. 

The lake is Lshaped, the longest arm run- 
ning southwest by west for 1;^ miles, then turning 
north-northwest for three-fourths of a mile, and 
is from one-fourth 
to one- half mile 
wide. Near the 
end of the arm a 
narrow inlet com- 
municates on the 
same level with 
a second lake, 
which is said to 
be 4 miles long 
and from 1 to li 
miles wide, witli 
a number of in- 
flowing streams. 
The first lake has 
one stream emerg- 
ing from a valley Sketch of Karta Bay Stream. 

between two snow-capped mountains near the soutiiern shore of the upper arm, and 
entering the lake from a large, sparsely wooded flat, in a dozen or more streamlets 
having grassy banks and flue gravel and sand bottom. These streamlets cover about 
three eighths of a mile of the lake shore. The central part of the lake seems deej), 
though there are a few shoals, one appearing at the surface ; along the shores it is shal- 
low. The banks are mostly grassy, with sand and gravel beaches, The lake is about 
GO feet above the level of the sea, and the stream falls 30 feet in the first half mile. 



4 m//es /a/it^' 







90 



BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES Fli^H COMMISSION. 



This seems au excellent locality for a liatcliery, as there is a harbor, abundance 
of water by gravity, plenty of fish, and at the mouth of the stream a natural basin 
that could be easily arranged for holding fish until ripe. 

The records of Karta Bay Stream are incomplete. The following is all that could 
be found. The first date, July .'?, 1807, is not the date of the first fish taken, but the 
date when the cannery began operations. The first fish taken were on June V,i, and 
600 were sent to the cannery on June 25. 



Cohoes. . 
Redfish . 



Cohoes.. 
Reilfish . 



In June (first on 
the 20th). 

In July 

In August, to 25th. 



Total 

From Aug. 19 to 
Sept. 7. 



In June (first, 670 

on the 26th). 
In July 

In August, to 17th, 



Total 

From Aug. 17 to 
Sept. 16. 



In June(flrst,2,995 
on the2l3t). 

InJuly 

In August, to 4th . 



Species. 



Redfish In June(first,4,250 21, C 

on the 18th). 
Do ! In July 47,8 



No record whatever could be obtained for 1892, 
1893, and 1894. The run in 1892 was very small, 
and in 189.'5 and 1894 very little fishing was done. 

1895. Redfish Julyl3to3^ , 5,631 

(Echoes August 1 to 18 | 1,826 



I 1896. 



Redfish. 



Do. 



In June (first on i 7. 258 
the 20th). 

InJuly [ 71,837 

In Augnst.to 14tli. .1,450 



Total 84,545 

Redfish From July 3 to 23,000 

Aug. 16. 

Cohoes ' From Aug. 26 to 2,500 

Sept. 17." 
Humpbacks. I From July 27 to 36,000 
1 Aug. 16. 



* These fish made 3,343 cases, Naha Brand, redfish and colioes packed together; 9 to the case, or an 
average weight of over 7 pounds. 

tThe catch of redfish from this region in 1896 was a surprise to everyone acquainted with tlie suliject, 
notwithstanding that this was a remarkable year in southeast Alaska. 

It is generally believed that Karta Bay will, under average conditions, yield 35,000 
redfish per annum, and, if kept free from barricades, there seems no reason why that 
number should not be doubled in the future. 



There is another small stream in Kasaan Bay, which has a small run of redfish. 
It is known as Kina, and empties into the bight next west of Coal Bay. All the fish 
go to Loring. The stream might supply 2,000 redfish annually. The only record 
available is as follows: 



Tear. 'Species. 


Dat«s. 


Number. 


1896. .. . 






2,018 

1,500 

470 

15, 000 




do 










Humpbacks 







At the head of Twelve Mile Arm, and on the western shore, are streams containing 
cohoes or humpbacks, or both; but the Karta Bay and Kina streams are the only 
ones in Kasaan Bay and its branches that have redfish. 

In July, 1889, the Loring cannery received from Kasaan Bay, from July 27 to 
September 10, 1,304 redfish and 5,219 cohoes, paying 8 cents each for redfish and 14 
cents each for cohoes. 



Bull. U. S. F C. 1898, (To face page 90.) 




FISHING HUTb ON SKOWL ARM. KASAAM i-- - 




STREAM AT DORA BAY, LOOKING OUT, 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



91 



HELM BAY. 



Helm Bay opens into Beliin Canal from the southeast i)art of (-leveland Penin- 
suhi. A small redfish stream empties into the V-shaped indentation on the nortluun 
shore of the bay, al)out midway of its length. At the time of our visit it discliarged 
very little water. It has a general northwest- and- southeast direction, is from lA to 
1^ miles long, with sandy and gravelly bottom, and is about 15 feet wide. 

The lake is 
about 50 feet above 
high water, and 1 
mile long by 4 to '} 
mile wide. The 
banks are marshy, 
and the bottom ap- 
pears sandy, slop- 
ing gradually from 
the banks to the 
center. Besides the 
tributary mentioned 
as entering between 
the two barricades, 
the main stream re- 
(Hiives from the east- 
ward another on the 
right bank, a little 
below the lake out- 
let. This tributary 
forks, each bi^atich 
leading to a, small 
fall. 

On the point 

forming the bight is a rude shack in which were stowed some seines, and on the beach 
a fiatboat was found. Within the mouth, and about the point reached by high 
water, are the remains of a barrier from which nearly all of the poles have been 
removed, but which would need only very little work to make it efiective. A short 
distance higher up, above the mouth of a small tributary, is a barricade of recent 
construction, nearly intact, and lacking only two poles in the center to make it effect- 
ive. Twine netting, badly damaged, was also found here, and was piobably used in 
the construction of the barricade. 

The following, the only record obtainable, is taken from the cannery books at 
Loring, where these fish are brought by the Indians who conduct the flsberies: 




Sketch of Helm Il:iy Stream. 



Tear. 


Species. 






1897 


Do . ... 











July 13 to 31 

Ang.l toll 

Sept. 1 to 15 

July 21 to Aug. 11 
Sept-l 



2,990 
3,C91 
1,931 
8.000 



92 BULLETIN OF THK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

Helm Bay Stream sbould produce (J, 000 reilflsb aiiiuially. 

At the head of the bay is a humpback stream which was examined. Its high- 
water mark is on line with the edge of the timber, half a mile beyond the low-water 
mark. Between the two the upper part of the northern side is grassy, while the 
southern is rocky. From the latter, several streams enter which during high water 
fall, by cataracts about 30 feet high, into the bay, and at low water have their own beds 
and join the main stream, doubling its volume. The stream is from l-'O to 30 feet wide 
between banks; has much sand and gravel on the bottom, making good spawning-beds 
for humpbacks, and is much choked by drift timber. At tlie time of our visit the 
water was low; across a riffle, 8 feet wide, it was oidy 4 inches deep. The banks are 
quite level and heavily wooded and the water is clear. As it was early learned that 
this was not a redfish stream, the headwaters were not examined. At the head of the 
bay on the northern side are good seining beaches. 

NAHA BAY. 

Naha Bay, an .arm of Behm Canal, is on the western side of Eevillagigedo Island 
opposite Helm I!ay, and 10 miles within the southern entrance of the canal. Loriug 
is a post-oflBce, and is situated on the northern shore of Naha Bay. In 1890 it liad a 
population of 200, which must have included the cannery-hands (Chinese and others), 
as the permanent population is very small. At the head of the bay a lake or lagoon 
receives the waters of the home salmon stream (Naha Stream), which formerly was so 
prolific that the Indians, in speaking of anything and desiring to express large num- 
bers, would liken it to the salmon in Naha Stream. The cannery buildings, wharf, 
store, etc., are on the eastern point of a small cove on the northern shore, and circling 
this cove are the dwellings of the whites and others. 

The cannery belongs to the Alaska Packers' As.sociation, and in 1897 it had the 
largest output of any cannery in Alaska (62,040 cases), though the i>ack consisted 
largely of humpbacks. 

A saltery was in operation here for many years prior to 1888, wiien the Alaska 
Salmon Packing and Fur Comi>any, of San Francisco, built a cannery which was 
operated by the Cutting Packing Company. A pack has been made here every year 
since. In 1892 it joined witli other canneries under the Alaska Packing Association, 
and in 1893, when the Alaska Packers' Association was formed, it joined tliat organi- 
zation and has since been operated by it. The cannery originally had a capacity of 
about 400 cases per day. This by better methods was increased to 700, and in 1890 it 
was again enlarged and now has a capacity of 1,800 cases per day. 

The cannery obtains fish from the home stream (Naha), Karta Bay, Kasaan, 
Union, and Helm bays, Moira Sound district, Quadra, Checats, and Ketchikan. The 
stream records are given under the jjroper headings, so far as they could be obtained, 
but the totals by streams will not give all the fish used, because in each district there 
are streamlets from which a few hundred, perhaps a thousand, are taken by the Indians 
and carried to the passing steamers or to the canneries. For instance, the total 
number of redfish used at Loriug in 1890, as recorded by streams, is 207,732, while the 
number actually used was 210,000. With cohoes and humpbacks there are still greater 
ditt'erences, as cohoes are very much scattered and only a few are taken here and there, 
while the humpbacks run in such numbers and are so cheap that not much attention 
is paid to them, so far as districts are concerned. These fish can therefore only be 
referred to by localities in a general way, except when taken from a regular fishery. 



Bull U. S. F C.1898. (To (ace page 92) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OK ALASKA. 



93 



III 1S96 tlie Loring cannery obtained from various localities ami packed 27,000 
cohoes between August 5 and September 15, many of wliicb are recorded under the 
streams described. Tlie total number of liuiupbacks used at the cannery tlie same 
year was 7S4,1.'(53, of which number 301,738 were supplied by the home stream betweeu 
July 18 and August 31 and 148,258 by Ketchikan between July 24 and August 31. 

The following sliows the packs of Loring cannery for 189(j and 1897: 



Species. 


1896. 


1807. 


Date. 


Number 
of cases 
packed. 


Number 
of ash 
per case. 


Number 
offlsh. 


Number 
of cases 
packed. 


Number 

of lish 
per case. 




June 19 10 Aus.31.... 

Aug. 5 ti) Sept. 15 

July 18 to Aug. 31.... 
July 18 to Aug. 6 


19, 621 

3,029 

36, 365 

452 


U 

9 

20 to 21 

6* 


131,567 

19, 478 

1, 124, 610 


10,470 
2,306 
49,264 


11.8 
8.4 
23.0 
















61, 467 


62, 040 











Note This canuer.v is also credited with the following salt salmon in 1897: 216 barrels rcdtisb, 324 

barrels colmes, and 1,449 barrels humpback bellies. No salmon wore salted at Loring; these were simply 
received at the cannery for shipment. 

It is impossible to give detailed weights of fish from each stream. The averages 
to the case are the general averages of all of each species coining to the cannery. The 
redfish from Naha Stream weigh about the same as from (Juadra, 8 jiouuds ; Karta Bay, 7 
pounds; Kasaan, 5 pounds. The fish from Moira Sound average Gi pounds, except 
the Peter Johnson fish, which run from 3J to 4 pounds. The average weight of the 
cohoes packed here also varies slightly from year to year, depending somewhat upon the 
localities from which the fish are received, the waste, and local consumption. These 
averages are derived by dividing the number of fish received by the cases packed; 
hence, if the waste or consumption is large, the average is raised. 

The prices jiaid for redfish in 189G were from $4 to $G.50 per 100, for cohoes $6 
per 100, and for humpbacks from 50 to 75 cents per 100. As the average weight of 
fish from each stream is fairly well known, the price from the different streams is 
agreed upon at the beginning of the season. For instance, the fish from the Peter 
Johnson Stream being small, less is paid for them than for those from Karta Bay. 
The prices in 1897 ranged from $4.50 to $8 per 100, depending upon delivery at the 
cannery or at the fishery, amount of gear furnished by the cannery, and size of fish. 
The higher rate, $8, was paid where the competition was close, and in one place the 
rate was raised to $10. Cohoes commanded about the same price, and humpbacks 
from $C to $7.50 per 1,000. Where a large number of these fish could be guaranteed 
and no gear was furnished, the latter price was paid under contract. 

The cannery fishermen's contract was $45 per month and board from the time of 
leaving San Francisco until the return of the vessel. 

The contract price with the Chinese was 40 cents per case for packing. 

In 1896 the cannery employed, or bought fish from, 50 white and 75 native fisher- 
men. In the cannery proper were employed 130 Chinese, whites, and 15 to 20 native 
women ("klootchmen") to assist the Chinese during the busy sea,son. 

In 1897, 20 white and 175 native fishermen were employed, and the cannery help 
consisted of 7 whites, 25 native women, and 130 Chinese. 

The cannery has 2 steamers. The Arctic, of 21 tons, with a crew of 5, is valued 
at $12,000. The Novelty, of 34 tons, with a crew of 5, is worth $12,000. Attached to 
the cannery is the bark El^ctra, of 940 net tons, and valued at $12,000. This vessel 



94 BULLETIN UK THE UNITED STATKS FISH COMMISSION. 

carries tlie liamls and tlie cannery outfit for the season from Sau Francisco in the 
sjiring. It is met at Dixon Entrance by one of the steamers and towed to the cannery, 
where it is tied up to the wharf for the summer. When the pack is finished the bark 
carries the hands back, and also the pack, or so mucli of it as can be handled. The 
crew of the J^lccfra are fishermen and are so employed after the vessel reaches Ijer 
destination, the ofticers taking charge of the cannery steamers, acting as watchmen, etc. 
In 1807 an extra vessel, the Xicholas Thaije); of 5.50 net tons and valued at $10,000, 
made two trips to assist in carrying the pack. 

On the fishing-grounds and at the cannery are liO lighters and fish-scows valued 
at from $50 to $100 each, and 21 seine boats valued at $50 each. 

In 1896 the fish were all taken in 21 drag seines, varying in length from 75 to 250 
fathoms, and valued at $1.50 per ftxthoni. The seines were practically the same in 
1897, though of the 21 only 7 were used by the cannery fishermen, as follows: Three, 
150 fathoms long, 200 meshes deep; one, 125 fathoms long, 200 meshes deep; two, 100 
fathoms long, 130 meshes deep; one, 75 fathoms long, 200 meshes deep. The others 
were used on the independent fisheries supplying the cannery. It is difficult to give 
accurate statistics of seines, not only on account of the independent fisheries supplying 
the canneries, but because every cannery has usually a number in reserve and a large 
amount of web, fioats, etc., ready to be made up. The standard mesh for the Alaska 
fisheries is 3-inch stretched, and this usually takes the form of 2i-inch in the bunt, 
3-inch in the quarters, and 3h to 1 inch in the wings. 

NAHA STREAM. 

Upon arrival at Loring inquiry was made at once in reference to this stream and 
its lake system. The only information obtainable was that the stream was of consid- 
erable length, rtowing through a very rough and rugged country, and was the outlet to 
a chain of lakes, some reports said two, others as high as seven. No one could be 
found, however, who had explored the region or who could give definite information. 
It was decided that an examination of the lower course of the stream and a view of the 
lake basin from a mountain top was all that could be attempted. Accordingly, a 
party ascended a mountain a little over 1,700 feet high, back of the cannery, and took 
photographs and bearings of the lake basin, estimating distances of prominent features. 
It is i^robable that all these lakes indicated on the sketch communicate with each 
other or with the outlet. 

Upon leaving the cannery for the stream, a small wooded island, connected with 
the shore at low water, is passed, and continuing to the eastward about a mile the 
head of the bay is reached. Tlie bay here narrows to a passageway (which turns 
about 180^ to the northward around a sharp projecting point) connecting the head of 
the bay with the first lake or lagoon. On the inner side of this passage, and on the 
western shore, is an old saltery, now used for storing boats and fishing gear. The bot- 
tom of this passage is rocky, and rises in such a manner that on both tides it forms 
rapids, making slack water only when the tide is within about 2 feet of ordinary high 
water, so that the current usually flows out. This body of water may be termed the 
"first lake." The water was found practically fresh at all stages of the tide. The 
water that flows in during the last of the flood can only be slightly brackish, for the 
large discharge keeps the water brackish in the upper part of the bay, and the amount 
that flows in forms only an inconsiderable portion. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



1)5 



This lake is about a mile long by one-fourth of a mile wide, with a depth of fi'oni 
6 to 18 fathoms, with a muddy bottom. The banks around the western and southern 
shores are rocky. On the northern shore three small draining streams, oidy a few feet 
in width, enter. They run from the mountain for al)out one-fourth of a mile to the lake 
over a comparatively level bottom of sand and gravel. They flow into bights where 
it is marshy or grassy, and at this point the lake is shallow along the shore, with mud 
and sandy bottom. A large stream enters the southern side near the eastern end, 
where there is a large grassy flat. At the eastern end, near tlie northern shore, is the 
mouth of Naha Stream, the out- 
let of the interior lake system. 
Around the mouth is a grassy 
flat, and off it the water is rather 
shallow, with a sand and gravel 
bottom. It is a beautiful stream 
at this poiut, about 200 feet wide 
and 2 feet deep. It preserves 
its width for about half a mile, 
when the banks contract, forc- 
ing the water between two rocky 
points about 40 feet apart, and 
200 feet above this poiut are 
falls about 75 feet wide and 8 
feet high. Ilalf the height is a 
cascade; the rest is a straight 
fall on one 

side,while ^— _- 

upon the ^^ "-- ■"■* 

other it is 

partly broken. The greater part of the water 
flows over the straight fall. The general course 
of the stream from the mouth to the falls is 
east-northeast, turning more to the northward 
at the falls, and then to the eastward. Above 
the falls the stream is about 125 feet wide, flow- 
ing between rocky banks over a sandy and 
gravelly bottom. The water is discolored. 

This salmon stream, one of the best in 
southeast Alaska, has suffered through the use 
of barricades. Until 1893 it was so solidly closed that it did not seem possible for a 
flsh to pass through. That year the barricade was removed, and the stream has 
remained open ever since. Whether the stream was ever barricaded at the mouth of 
the outlet, near the eastern end of the lake, could not be ascertained. The barricade 
of 1893 and the earlier ones were placed at the head of the bay, where it contracts. 
A trap had been driven here almost entirely across the bay, but as few fish were taken 
more piles were driven, and, it is said, a close-mesh net was stretched across the stream 
so effectually that not a salmon could pass. 

Fishing is carried on entirely with drag seines, one crew fishing in Naha Bay below 
the tidal rapids, and another in the first lake above the rapids. 





Naha Bay ami Lak<> 



96 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The following shows the statistics of Naha Stream from 1SS7 to date. While the 
record is not very clear in some seasons, in the main it is correct: 



Year. Species. 



1887.. Eedfish. 
1888.. Kedflsh. 



Not given 

June (first ou 18th, 50) ... 
July 

August (UD record, but 
taken from totals). 



2,153 
42, 833 
30, 218 



'I'his cannery was first operated in 1888. The ahove 
tish made 8,366 cases, averaging 9 to the case. Cases 
of cohoes not ^iveu. The stream also furnished 
99,200 humpliarks, making 6,200 cases, 16 to the case; 
and 67,500 more humpbacks were salted, making 900 
barrels, of 75 to the barrel. Judging from the rec- 
ords, the pack in 1888 was made entirely from the 
homo stream ami Karta Bay fish. 

Eedfish . ..' June (first on 22d, 850) . .' 3, 902 

Do July 35,202 

Do August, to 20th 36,730 



Eedfish ... June(firston20th, 1,550). 

Do....i July 

August, to 28th 



Total 

Cohoes Aug. 28 to Sept. 12. 

Eedfish... June (flrston 14th, 49 

July 

August, to 27th 



Total 

Cohoes.... I Aug. 20 to Sept. 11. 
Humpback (»ne taken June 30. 



10, 921 
53, 231 
3,507 



8,494 
69, 651 
18, 351 



1894. 
1895. 



Spec 



Eedfish . . . . 

Do 

Do 

Cohoea 

Eedfish 

Do 

Do 

Eedfish.... 

Kedflsh.... 

Do 

Do 

Humpbacks 
Do , 

Eedfish... 

Do 

Do 

Humpbacks 
Do 

Eedfish.... 
Humpbacks 



June(flrst onl6th, 18) 
July 

August, to 18th 

Total 

Aug. 25 lo Sept.9 

June (first on 23d,350). 

July 

August, to 8th 

Total 

Approximate 

June (firston 20th) 

July 

August, to 19th 

Total 

July (first on 19th) 

August 

Total 

June (firston 19th) 

July 

August, to 23d 

Total 

July (firston 18tb) 

August 

Total 

July 7 to Aug. 14 

July 9 to Aug. 24 



* Paid for outside fish, 6 cents each for redfish, 9 cents for cohoes. 
t Another record gives a total for this year of 46,326. 

* Another record given for 1893 is 52,800. 

The average number of redlish taken per year, according to the above figures, is 
53,555. The best authorities consider the stream good at present, under fair condi- 
tions, for 50,000 redtish, 5,000 cohoes, and 400,000 humpbacks, and, if properly cared 
for, it should yield 75,000 redfish per year. The stream seems ideal for salmon, and if 
improved, even under natural conditions, the run of fish could be increased very 
materially. No observations could be made on the spawning habits. It is improbable, 
however, that any humpbacks go over the falls, all spawning below; but tlie redtish 
go over the falls into the lake system, and this makes the conditions favorable for 
keeijing the humpbacks from disturbing the nests of the redtish. It is probable, 
however, that many i-edtish fail to get over the falls, and others that succeed are 
bruised and injured. A hatchery might be very successful not only at the falls, where 
there is an abundance of water and fish, but at Loring, where water could be supplied 
from a stream back of the cannery. 

At Loring they expect a few red salmon from June 20 to July 1, and by the latter 
date to have the cannery started. Kedflsh are then packed until the end of August, 
the latter part of this time, however, only in a scattering way and in connection with 
the other species. A few cohoes are packed during the early \)i\Tt of August, and 
this is continued until the cannery closes, about September liO, though these flsh are 



Bull. U S. F C 1896 (To face page 96.) 




THE SALMOiV AND .SALMdN KISIIKlilKS ()!•' ALASKA. 



97 



never very abundant. TIk; liiiiii|)l)ii(-U.s cumiMeiicc (■iiininj^- Id iIm- ciuincry alioiit tin; 
middle of July and are packed until tin', latter p:irt ol' AiiKU'st. 'I'lie dof,' Halninn 
is very little used for eanriiii}^. .Soin(!tim(!.s a few tind their \v;iy into liuinpbaek cans, 
but as a rule they are not used. A lew hundred eases were i)a(;k(!d at J^orinj^f in I.S!»0, 
from .July 17 to Au},'ust 7, but none in 1«97. 

During the winter of I8!)(!-It7, from the latter part of Deiiemljer until April, Malia 
Bay was tilled with small salmon from (» to 10 inclies in lenjith. They were probably 
young king salmon, but they may have been redlish. They took the troll readily. No 
attempt was made at seiiung. A few were sliii)|)ed fresh to Seattle, and a few others 
were salted for local use. They were full of si>awn, but not ripe, and none enteri'il 
the river. It is believed around Loring that L!(), ()()() cases of these lisli could have 
been packed. 

YES (OB M'DONALD) I!AV. 

Yes (or McDonald) Hay is a narrow itdet opening into the western shore of IJehm 
Canal, extending in a genei-al iioithwest direction about 110 miles to the northward of 
Loring. Mirlway the length of the bay, on the northern shore, is the cannery of the 
Boston I'Msiiing and Trading Company. 'J'he buildings are on the peninsula formed 
by the bay and the right bank of V'es Bay Stream. 

In 1880 Rhode & Johnson locaterl at Yes Bay and salted salmon. The fidlowing 
year the tirm became Ford, Rhode & Johnson. Several thousand barrels were sa!t(Ml 
and part of the present cannery buildings were put uj). In 1888 the cannery buildings 
were completed and several thousand barrels of salmon were salted. In 188!) the 
machinery was installed and a pack of between 4,000 and 5,000 ciises made. The 
same year the Boston Fishing and Trading Company was incorporated, Ford & Rhode 
transferring their interests to that concern. The cannery is at present largely, if not 
entirely, owned, operated, and managed by Mr. D. \V. Crowley, of I'ortlaiid, Oregon. 
It is one of the smaller canneries of Alaska. While not equipped witii all the latest 
appliances, it has packed between 20,000 and L'.5,000 cases per year fcjr several years. 

The following statement shows the pack for 1896 and 1897: 



SpccioH. 


1896. 


1897. 1 


Ko.of 

Bate of packing. caaes 

packed. 


No. of 

fiiffa per 

case. 


Date of i>ackiDg. 


No. of 

caaea 

packed. 


No. of 
flail iier 
case. 


Bedflsh 


July Uto Ang.25.... 7,000 
Aug. 20 to Sept. 15.... 2,100 
Aug. 5 to Sept. 5.... 15,000 


9 

16 


July 12 U> Sept. 4 8,754 

Aug.l»U>Sept.l2.... 1,644 
July 12 to Sept. 6 12,806 


9 
6 
15 

a 




Humpbacks 


Total 






Total 






22,300 




1 



Note — From July 12th to September 12th 3,037 cohoea were aalted, iiiakiug about 150 barrola. 

In 1890 there were employed 15 white and 20 native fishermen, and in the cannery 
3 whites, 50 Chinese, and, during the busy season, 10 " klootchmen." Four drag seines 
were u.sed, 80 to 140 fathoms long, .'J-inch mesh, valued at $l..jO per fathom, and 1 
purse seine 320 fathoms long by .'iO fathoms deep, 3-inch mesh, valued at $800. 

One small steamer, the Route, of 5 tons, crew of 2, and valued at 82,000, t<md« 
the cannery. An additional steamer is sometimes chartered during the busy season. 
There were lighters, or fish-scows, valued at from ijSoO to ^75 each, and 4 seine boats, 
valued at from $iM to .is75 each. 

K. C. U., !»»»— 7 



9.S 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The cauuery equi])iiient iu 1897 was the same as in 181)6, except that in addition 
there was chartered the steamer Alaxka, 38 net tons, crew 5, and valued at $5,000. 

The redflsh packed at this cannery come almost entirely from the home stream and 
Cliecats, the hitter being also fished for the Loring cannery. They are of the larger 
variety, averaging about 9 to the case. Very few fish are bouglit. At Yes Bay the 
redtish run iu sufficient numbers to permit the commencement of packing about the 




Sketch of Yes Bay Stream ami Lake. 

middle of July. In 1894 packing was begun on July 17 ; in 1895 on July 14 ; in 1890 on 
July 11, and in 1897 on July 12. It is expected that the cannery can be operated for 
redtish from July 15 to August 25. At the time of our visit, July 2 and 3, salmon 
were seen Jumping iu the bay, stream, and lake, but the manager stated that a sufficient 
number had not come in to warrant operating the cannery before the time mentioned. 

The humpbacks are from Stewart Bay, Hot Springs, Burroughs Bay, Stewart 
River, Gedney Pass, atid other localities where they school. About 225,000 are used, 
only a few being taken iu the home stream. Gohoes are found scattering in different 
localities. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHEEIES OF ALASKA. 



99 



Yes Bay Stream empties into the bay near the cannery. At the widening of the 
month, wliere it enters the bay, a pile trai> occupies three-fourths of the width of the 
stream at liigh water. The census report of 1800 states that as many as 5,000 sahnon 
are taken out of this trap in a day. The stream flows with a strong current, in a 
general southeast direction, over a rocky and bowldery bed for almost its entire 
length. It is about a mile long, from 40 to 60 feet wide, and from 2 to 5 feet deep, 
cai'ryiug a large volume of water. 

About 200 yards above the mouth of the stream, at the head of tide water, a 
partly dismantled barrier was found, which could be made effective, thereby closing 
the stream in a few hours. This barricade is of similar construction to those already 
described, except that the rails are separated like the rafters of a house, and gratings, 
or Indian fences, were formerly secured over them, and over all a wire netting. Some 
of the wire nettings had been carried away, but could easily be replaced. 

The stream is the outlet to a lake, and about \ mile below it widens to about 200 
yards, forming a lakelet about G feet deep with sand and gravel bottom. Immediately 
below the outlet is a rapid l.->0 feet long, 40 feet wide, by 2i feet deep, and the stream, 
falling about 4 feet, spreads over granite bowlders to a width of 80 feet. A large 
stream with a delta enters at therajjids from the eastward. Above the outlet is a log 
jam, over which the lake can be crossed. 

The lake lies in a general northwest and-southeast direction, and is about 3 miles 
long by 11 to i mile wide. It is deep, especially along the northern side, where the 
mountains come to the edge. On the southern side are several shallow bights, in 
which nuirshy streams enter. A number of cascades were noted along the northern 
shore, two of them having grassy banks and gravelly beaches near the point of dis- 
charge. With these exceptions, the shores along this section are rocky and steep. 
The head was not visited, but it is reported that a large stream enters where the lake 
turns in between two mountain ranges. It is said that there is a second small lake 
connected with the main lake by a stream having a high fall, but no one could be 
found who had ever visited it. The main lake can be reached by trail from the bay, 
near the upper end, at a point about 2 miles from the cannery. The trail runs in a 
general northerly direction and is about half a mile long. 

The following is the record of the Yes Bay fishery for a number of years. The 
figures for years prior to 1893 are not available. 




This stream has been barricaded for many years. It has a fine lake system, and 
under fair conditions should yield 50,000 redflsh per year. It is said that some years 
ago as many as 70,000 were taken from it. The locality seems well adapted for a 
hatchery. 

In 1896, from July 15 to 20, an Indian supplied the cannery with about 100 king 
salmon taken in gill nets in the vicinity of Burroughs Bay. They were all very large, 
some of them reaching 89 pounds in weight. The cannery commenced packing them, 
but as there were so many white meated ones it declined to take any more. The 



100 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



inauiiger has under cousideratioii the advisability of atteinptiiij;' a pack of king salmon. 
Tbey can be taken aud are in good condition as early as May 15, or as soon as the ice 
is clear of the bay. 

CHECATS. 

In Jlelini Oanal, about 2 miles east of New Eddystone Rock, is an indentatiou or 
biiy wliicli receives a. stream called Cliecats. This stream is said to have large red 
salmon and to be capable of yielding 10,000 a year. 

The following ligures were obtained, but no conii)lete record was available: 



Tear. 


Species. 


Total 
number. 


Average 

number Season iif run. 

per ease. 


Canneries to wliicli 
consigned. 


1895 

1896 

1897 




9,680 
10, 712 
16, 229 

439 
20, 682 

821 






Tes Bay. 

Yes liav andLoriiig. 

Do." 
Yen Biiy. 

Yes Buy aud Luring. 
Yes Bay. 






July 12 to Aug. 12 

July 10 to Aug. 28.... 
Aug. 26 to Sept. 1 .... 
July 21 to Aug. 15.... 
July 2a to Aug. 2 


(Keiiash 


9 
6 
15 
6 


[Humpbacks 

[Dog salmon 



There are many streams entering Behm Canal and its branches that should be 
examined, but, so far as known, no others that have many redflsh. 

BUliUOUGHS BAY. 

At a point where Behm Canal turns at right angles to the .southward. Burroughs 
Bay enters, and at its hend is the Unuk liiver, one of the largest streams of south- 
east Alaska, and said to contain king salmon, redflsh, and echoes. On the eastern 
shore, near the head of the bay, was formerly a cannery known as the Cape Lees 
Packing Company. Mr. James Miller operated a saltery here in 1886 aud 1887. In 
1888 Messrs. Andrew and Benjamin Young, of Astoria, built the cannery and operated 
it in 1888, 1889, and 1890; it made uo pack after the latter year. In 1892 the cannery 
joined the Alaska Packing Association, aud in 1893 it became one of the canneries of 
the Alaska Packers' Association. lu 1894 it was dismantled, part of the machinery 
going to Loriug aud part to Wrangell. Mr. Miller states that from 1,200 to ],r)00 
cases of king salmon could be packed at Burroughs Bay, but that the proportion of 
white ineated fish is very large. He also stated that he had taken salmon there 
weighing 90 pounds. 

THOUNE BAY. 

Thorne Bay is aji arm of Clarence Strait on the eastern side of Prince of Wales 
Island. Formerly all the waters to the westward of a line drawn from Tolstoi Point 
to Tolstoi Islaud were known as Tolstoi Bay. The chart has named the eastern bay 
" Tolstoi," aud the western one " Thorue Bay," but the latter is still referred to as 
"Tolstoi," causing much confusion. In the bay named Tolstoi on Chart A there are 
uo red salmon streams — in fact, uo streams of any importance — while in Thorne Bay 
there is oue very large stream, which empties into the head of the northwest arm, aud 
differs eutirely from auy of the other sti'eams thus far visited. It partakes more of 
the nature of a river, having a large estuary, and flows through a comparatively flat 
and level country, with the tide asceuding a considerable distance. It is an outlet of a 
lake whose source is said to be from 12 to 15 miles from the mouth. No white man 
in the vicinity has ever visited it, and all that is known of it is from information given 
by an old Indian who hunts there during the winter. It is said there is a chain of 



Bull. U. S. F. C 1898. (To (ace page 100^ 



Plate 39. 




THE SALMON AND SAr,MON FISHERIES OF Al-ASKA. 



101 



\ HeaJo^T'^'^"^^' 



lakes at the head, and that several tributaries to the river have lake sources. As it 
would have taken several weeks to thorongrlil.\' explore tlni locality, only the, lower 
course of the stream was examined. 

From the mouth of the stream to the 
head of tide water is a distance of about 2i 
miles. At low water the stream runs a 
winding' course through uncovered Hats 
and grassy banks, at places separating 
into several channels or sloughs, while at 
high water these Hats and banks are all 
covered, and it has the appearance of a 
large bay 2 miles long in a general east-and 
west direction, with a greatest width of five- 
eighths of a mile, with wooded islets (one 
three-eighths of a mile long) and heavily 
wooded banks. The mouth is contracted 
to a width of about one eighth of a mile, 
the Hats extending into the outer bay some 
distance outside of the natural banks. 
These flats afford excellent seining ground 
at low water. At the head of tide water, 
where the stream Hows between rocky 
banks, it is contracted to a width of 45 
feet, expanding as it proceeds toward the 
sea to 120 feet, and about three eighths of 
a mile down it opens .out to 300 yards, 
contracting again about one eighth of a 
mile beyond, and then opening into the 
large high-water bay. At this point is a 
small wing of rocks and rails and the rem- 
nant of a wire net, which i)robably formed 
at one time a barricade. The depth here 
at high water would be about 7 feet. There 
are no indications that the stream has 
been barricaded in recent years. 

Thebottmn over the liat generally con- 
sists of gravel and sand; in the narrower 
l)art it is rocky, and above tide level be- 
comes more so, though for about a quarter 
of a mile above it runs through bottom 
lands between wide, higli gravel banks, 
heavily wooded and in some places grassy. 
The fall of the main stream is slight, and 
occasionally there are deep pools. At the 
time of our visit the main stream, above the 
iurtueuce of the tide, had an aveiage depth of J 8 inches over a riffle 75 feet wide. Half 
a mile below the high-water mark the stream becomes brackish, increasing in salinity 
toward the mouth; yet it is said that humi)backs spawn all over these tidal flats, and 




-\ 



Sketch of stream at head of Thorno Bay, taken 
at low water. I lom mouth to head li<le water. 
High-water mark in Iieavy lines. 



102 



HITLLKTIN OF THE VXITEI) STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



frequently, ns the tide falls, the eggs are exijosed to tlie sun, and the sea birds feed 
upon them. Tlie shoals and flats at the juouth of the stream barely admit a boat at 
low water, but at high water one may go up the stream as far as tide water extends. 

About 1888 a saltery was established on the northern shore of the entering arm 
at Thorne i?ay. The following year it was sold to the cannery at Loring, then operated 
by the Cutting Packing Company, of San Francisco. In 1S92 this saltery was sold to 
Mr. Robert Bell, who moved it to its present site and abandoned the old station. Two 
or three Indian houses are all that now remain at that point. The saltery at present 
is located on the upper end of the northwest arm, on the western shore, at the extreme 
end of the river flats, and is not only close to the fishing-grounds, but is on one of the 
best harbors in southeast Alaska. The saltery building is over .the wharf, and ba<!k 
of it are several dwellings. The owner lives there. 

No fish were salted for the first two years after the saltery was moved; all were 
carried to Loring and sold fresh for packing. The plant, without fishing gear, is 
valued at $1,500. Eight men are employed for 2.^ months during the fishing season, 
and 20 men for one month during the time of the heaviest runs. Two drag seines 
are used, 3-inch mesh, 12.5 fathoms long by 5 fathoms deep, valued at $1.50 per fathom. 
Four seine boats, valued at $50 each, are employed. 

The following incomplete statistics give all the obtainable record of Thorne P.ay 
stream : 



Tear. 


Species. 


Nnmber 
taken. 


Time of fishing. 


Rem.irba. 


1889.. 
1890.. 

1891.. 

1896- . 


Eedflsh 


10. 790 
52, 516 

14, 456 

11, 698 

5,000 
25, 000 

811, 0(10 


July 6 to Aug. 17 

July 10 to Sept. 10...-. 

June28 to Aug. 1.. .. 
Aug. 17 to Sept. 1 


385 taken on July 6. 

Species not separated; prohably one. third were co- 

lioes. Large redfish brought 10 cents, small redflsh 

6 cents, colioes 14 cents, delivered at cannery. 
3,400 taken on June 28. 
2,760 used at Loring cannery, the remainder salted at 

Tolstoi fishery. 
Averam weight, 5 pounds ; salted, m.iking 86 b.irrels, 

worth $6 to $8 per barrel net. 
9,000 sold to Loring, rest salted, making 450 barrels, 

worth $6.50 per barrel .on Seattle wharf. Average 

weight of fish, 8 pounds. 
25,000 sold at Loring, bellies of remainder salted, 

making 470 half-barrels, worth $4.50 per half-barrel 

net. Average weight of flsh, 3J pounds. 


Redtiah and cohoea 










Hniiipl..Tks 







It was ascertained at Loring that 600 half-barrels of humpback bellies and ICO 
barrels of cohoes were salted in 1897. It was stated that the stream at present will 
yield annually 5,000 redfish, 25,000 cohoes, and 200,000 luimiibacks; that it is a very 
early redfish stream, the first arrivals, from June 1 to 10, depending upon the season, 
and that the run usually ends about August 5. From the scanty records, it would 
seem that it will furnish perhaps 10,000 redflsh, if fished by a cannery. After the 
redflsh have commenced to run many are taken that seem very much out of condition. 
They are very thin and the intestines are found closely adhering to the body walls. 

The stream is also known as having very early runs of cohoes, the first flsh 
appearing about July 5, and the run continuing until September 13 to 25, but the 
flsh are small; in fact, it is said that the cohoes of all the island streams are small, 
those from the streams on the mainland being much larger. Tlie humpbacks here run 
from August 1 to September 1, the flsh averaging larger during a big run than during 
a .small one. The dog salmon run with the humpbacks, but are not u.sed. Steelheads 
run from November to April, though scattering ones are taken every month in the 



ull. U. S F. C. 1898. (To face page 102.) 




HEAD OF TIDEWATER, STREAM AT THORNE BAY. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



103 



year in various spawning conditions. Spent stedlieads have frequently been taken 
on their return to tlie sea. 

Trout are numerous in this stream, and not only here but everywhere in Alaska 
the cry is to exterminate them, or at least not to protect them by law, as they are 
regarded as the greatest enemies to the salmon, destroying the eggs in countless num 
bers. Dolly Varden trout are found ruuTiing from June 10 to .luly 15, and follow the 
.salmon to the spawning-beds. The cut-throat trout also comedown to brackish water 
about the same time. 

In 1895 three shad were taken in a trap in Thorne Bay, and it is believed that 
if traps were more extensively used shad would probably be taken in many different 
hicalities in southeast Alaska. 

TTNION PAY. 

On the western side of Cleveland reuinsula, and opening into Ernest Sound, i.s 
Union Bay. In this locality is a snnxU red-salmon stream fished by Mr. Myers, who 
sells the catch, with that of Kina, in Kasaau Bay, which he also fishes, to the Loring 
cannery. 

The following records have been obtained: 



1896. 


1897. 


Species. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Species. 


Dates. 


Number. 






3,258 
1,393 
1,408 




July 26 to Aug. 26 .... 


4 700 








2,250 






Hnmpbacks 


July 26 to Aug. 26.... 









WRANGELL. 

In 1S87 the Aberdeen Packing Company, of Astoria, Oreg., built a cannery on 
the Stikine River, about 8 miles above the mouth, with the intention of making the 
entire pack from the catch of this river. After packing two seasons, in the fall of 
1888 and spring of 1889, the cannery was moved to Point lIighfield,on the northern 
end of Wrangell Island, and operations commenced under the name of the (ilacier 
Packing Company. In 1892 it entered the Alaska Packing Association and was 
closed, and in 1893 it joined the Alaska Packers' Associatiou, and has since been 
operated by that organization. In 1896 it was enlarged, and now has a capacity of 
1,500 cases per day. The cannery is located in a small bight to the eastward of and 
just inside of Point Ilighfleld, about 1.^ miles from Wrangell post-oflice, and 2 miles 
from the flats at the mouth of the Stikine River. 

In 189G the cannery employed 20 white fishermen, and received the catch of 70 
natives. In the cannery were 8 whites, i native women, and SO Chinese. The can- 
nery fishermen used forking salmon H large gill nets, each 250 fathoms long, 24 meshes 
deep, 8i-inch mesh, valued at 40 cents per fathom; for redflsh and cohocs, 14 small 
gill nets, each 200 fathoms long, 2(i meshes deep, G.;i inch mesh, valued at 40 cents per 
fathom, and 9 drag seines, from 50 to 150 fathoms long, 3 to S fathoms deep, valued at 
81.50 per fathom. 

The vessels engaged were the steamer Puritan, 14 net tons, crew 5, value §10,500, 
and the steamer EUa Rohlffs, 37 net tons, crew 5, value -§14,000. Usually but one of 
these tenders is used. The ship Geo. Skoljield, 1,276 tons net, value -SKijOOO, with a 
crew of fishermen, was used as a transport. The same arrangement is made here as 
at Loring. The sliip brings the outfit to tlie cannery in the spring and moors in the 



104 



BULLETIN OK TH K UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Stream; the (irew tlien become fislieimen, ami the officers do duty in conuectioii witli 
the cannery. In the fall the ship carries the pack and outtit back. The cannery uses 
2 Hghters, one valued at $50, the other at ir!40(); 14 Columbia liiver boats, valued at 
•si 80 each, and 20 skiffs, dories, etc., valued at $25 each. 




Caunery near Wrangell. 



This cannery and that at Pyramid Harbor are the only ones in southeast Alaska 
that pack king- salmon, and even at these places this tish forms a very small ])art of 
the pack. 

The following gives the statistics of the pack for 1896; 



Num- 
ber of 
fish per 
case. 



Cohoes 



? 22 to June 30.. 
1 to Anj;iist 31. 



July (firston July 1) 

August 

September to 10th... 

Julvl-31 

August 1-29 



23, 064 
32, 403 
31. 653 



All takeu in gill nets around mouth of Stik- 
ine River. These fiah would appear to aver- 
age about II) pounds, but the real average 
13 said to be abciut 22 pounds. Of the total 
number, many are consumed at the factory 
and many others are not used because thoy 
are white-meated. 

About 30, QUO taken around mouth of Stikine 
Kiver; the rest in drag seines. Average 
weight rather under 7 pounds. 

30,000 taken in gill nets around mouth of 
Stikine River; the rest in drag seines. 
Average weight said tobeabout 11 pounds, 
but this is not roueistent with figures 
given. 



All taken in drag s 



Bull. U. S. F. C. 1898. iTo (ace page 104. 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



105 



In 1897 the cannery received and packed the following salmon, accordin};- to the 
cannery books: 



Species. 


Dates. 


Total 
nnmber 
of fisb. 


Number 
of cases. 


Number 
of fish 
per case. 


Remarks. 


Kin" 


1897. 

May 15 to Jnne 25 

.Jun6 25 to Ang. 6 

July 7 to Sept. 15 

July 12 to Aug. 18 


4,946 

70,870 
76, 153 
682,663 


1,246 

7,428 
8.620 
28, 624 


3.9 

9.5 
8.8 
23.1 


All taken in gill nets at 
mouth of Stikine River. 




Coboes 

Hampbacks 



In 181t0 and 1897 the cannery paid $.5.50 per 100 forredfish and cohoe.s at the fish- 
eries, and $7 per 100 delivered; and for humpbacks ."iO cents per 100, the steamer calling 
for them. The run of redfish in 1897 was very small, but humpbacks were so plentiful 
that the canneries here, as elsewhere, did not have the fticilities for handling the catch. 

The fishing contract here differs from that at Loring on account of the gill-net 
fishing. The company pay.'^ each man $125 for his services in taking the transport 
vessel to the cannery and back to San Francisco, aud for discharging and.loading at 
the cannery. There are two men to a gill-net outfit. When fishing commences the 
cannery supplies the gear and pays 5 cents for king salmon and li.l cents each for 
redfish and cohoes. The fishermen also receive their board and lodging. The C-liiiiese 
contract price for packing is 40 cents jier case. 

The streams supplying the cannery at Wrangell are the following: Stikine Kiver, 
Salmon Bay. Red Bay, Lake Bay, Whale Passage, Katz Harbor, Old Village, Anan 
(Bradfleld Caual), Kah-Sheets, Wrangell Narrows, and incidentally a few fish are 
received from Shipley Bay and Point Barrie. 

STIKINE EIVEB. 

The Stikine Biver (see Chart A) is the largest in southeast Alaska, and is the 
only one that is navigable; but as yet it has no very important relation to the salmon 
fisheries. A small stern-wheel steamer of light draft makes occasional trips to the 
trading posts located on its upper waters. The Cassiar gold discovery, near its head- 
waters, gave it additional interest in 1875-1877, and it has been much talked of as 
a route to the upper Yukon. It is said to receive the waters of 300 glaciers. It dis- 
charges through a wide delta with numerous shallow channels and a current of from 
3 to 4 miles an hour, but in the upper waters, where it rushes through the canyons, 
the velocity prol)ably reaches 10 miles. The fiats formed by the river silt clcse the 
passages to the northward between the i-slands and the mainland, except for small 
boats. 

It is believed that the run of all species of salmon up this river is large, and, if 
they could be easily captured, several canneries might be supplied; but only gill-net 
fishing is feasible, and on account of the wide expanse of river mouth, the numerous 
snags and bowlders, and strong currents, this method is not very profitable, as the 
best salmon are obtained in Alaska for a cent a pound, and in some places for little 
more tlian a cent a fish. The fishing here is carried oa around the flats at the mouth 
of the river, in the sloughs aud channels where the current is not too strong. Usually 
the gill nets are anchored; sometimes they are drifted. The Wrangell cannery in a 



lOG 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSIOX. 



good season expects toobtiiin from tlie Stikiue from 4,000 to 8,000 king salmon, 30,000 
retlfisb, and 30,000 cohoes. It is probable that few salmon go to tlie headwaters, but 
they enter the numerous lower tributaries. 

Fishing for king salmon commences about May 15, or as much earlier as the ice may 
permit, and continues until the latter part of June, when the redfish begin to run ; the 
fishing gear is then changed. It is the general belief in Alaska that king salmou 
will run only in the streams carrying glacial water. Of the king salmon taken here, 
about one in six has white meat, the same ratio being jireserved throughout the 
fishing season. 

The only available record for the Stikine is for 1897, and is as follows: 



Species. 



Ecdflsh 

Coboes 

Humpbacks 



May 15 to -June 25. 
June 25 to July 30 
Ang. 15 to Sept. 15 
Jnly 1'^ to Aug. 18 



4.080 
21,20« 

19, 722 

20, 394 



The limited time permitted the examination of only one stream fished for this 
cannery, Kah-Sheets, and the others are referred to briefly with such data as could 
be obtained. Eed Bay, Salmon Bay, Lake Bay, and ^Yhale Passage are localities 
claimed and fished by Mr. Thomas ^NlcCauley. Several years ago there was a saltery 
at each of these fisheries, but they are now consolidated into one, which is located on 
Whale Passage. The catch from the streams in these places is sold by contract to 
the Wrangell cannery. 

PRINCE OF WALES IfSLAND, NORTHEAST SIDE. 

In this region are located Lake Baj', Whale Passage, Salmon Bay, Red Bay, and 
Eatz Harbor. Lake Bay is situated on the northeast side of Prince of Wales Island 
(see Chart A) on the passage inside of Stevenson Island. The approaches are all foul 
and the bay inaccessible for a large vessel. The stream is known as a cobo stream, 
and the run is the earliest in southeast Alaska, but the fish are small. It is said to 
have a capacity of from 50,000 to 60,000 cohoes and 5,000 to 10,000 redfish. There 
are, however, no records for redfish. 

The following records of cohoes from Lake Bav were ol)tained: 



1898. 


1897. 


Dates. 


Xumber 
taken. 


i iTe'n!^ 




23, 064 
25, 029 
9, 452 

58, 145 






Aug.2to Aug. 3i 1 21,589 






Total i 47,584 

1 





Whale Passage is about 5 miles to the westward of Lake Bay. The stream, 
which is essentially a humpback stream, is iu the northwest arm of the passage. 
The saltery, operated here by Mr. Thomas McOauley, utilizes the fish that can not 
be handled at Wrangell. The stream is said to have a capacity of 200,000 hump- 
backs and from 2,000 to 3,000 cohoes. 1,400 half-barrels of humpback bellies were 
salted in 1897. 



Bull U. S. P. C. 1898. (To (ace page 106 i 




MOUTH OF STREAM, DUNCAN CANAL, SHOWING GRAVEL 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OP ALASKA. 

The followiug gives the only available data for Whale Passage: 



107 



Tear. 


Species. Bntes. 


Number 
taken. 






2,050 
225, 000 


1897 









No record was kept of liumpbacks in lS9(i, as the contract was " by the case," 
but the catch was made from Augjust 1 to September 1. No i-ecord was made of 
cohoe.s in 1897. 

Salmon Bay is on the northeast side of Prince of Wale.s Island, about 10 miles 
from Whale Passage. It is a small bay with a lake outlet in the northwest end. The 
stream has a capacity for 1'0,000 redlish. 

Eed Bay is about (! miles westward of Salmon Bay. At its head, on the eastern 
side, is a redfish stream with a capacity of from 1S,000 to 24,000 flsh. 

The following are the available records of Salmon Bay and Eed Bay : 



Te.ir. 


Salmon Bay. 


Red Bay. 


Species. 


ts/ 


Species. 


Dates. 


No. of 
fisli. 


1896 
1896 
1897 


Redflsh 

Cohoea 

Eedflsh 


July 1 to 30 

Aug. 1 to 31 

July 1 to 15 


19, 725 
2,682 
15,012 


Redfish 

Do 

Do 


July 18 to July 31 

Aug. 1 to Sept. 1 

July 7 to July 29 


16, 348 
4,542 

12, 004 



Eatz Harbor is situated on the northeast shore of Prince of Wales Island, about 
15 miles north of Tolstoi. At the northwest en<l of the harbor a stream enters, which 
is reported to yield 00,000 humpbacks, and is fished by the Wrangell cannery when 
the supply of humpbacks from sti'eams nearer their ronte is short. There are no 
records for this stream. 

OLD VILLAGE. 

In the southern part of Zimovia Strait, about miles below Deserted Village, is a 
ro(!ky haymaking into Wrangell Island. At the head of this bay is a stream, having 
a capacity of from 15,000 to 20,000 redtish, fished by Wrangell cannery. 

The statistics for 1897 are as follows: 



liedliali 

Colioes 

Humpbacks 



June 28 to 30 

July 3 to 27 

Aug. 1 to6 

Aug. 6 to 31 

July 12 to Aug. 18 



13, 181 
3,050 
1,992 

42, 169 



ANAN, BRADFIELD CANAL. 

At the entrance to Bradfield Canal, on the southern shore, in the angle formed 
by the shore line running first east from Point Wards and then north, is a stre;im 
which is fished by the Wrangell cannery, and which supplies a large number of 
humpbacks. The flsh commence to run in the first jiiirt of July, and the stream is 
reported good for 300,000. In 1897 the Wrangell cannery obtained 375,(t00 hump- 
backs between July 12 and August 18. 



108 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES KISH COMMISSION. 



WRANGELL NARKOWS. 

Opposite Finger Point is a small stream which supplies, under ordinary conditions, 
2,000 redfish. In the northern end, in the bight ojiposite Turn Point, is a stream 
which supplied Wrangell cannery in 1897, from August 18 to September 1, with 4,004 
echoes. This is also a good humi^back stream. 

KAH-SHEETS. 

At the entrance to Duncan Canal, on the western shore, in the upper end of the 
bowldery bay inside of Lung Island, a redtish stream was examined. Its mouth is 
north of a narrow tongue of laiid making to the eastward and to the northward of a 
house occupied by a number of Indians. The stream is a lake outlet, about .'! miles 
long in a general east-and-west direction, and GO to 70 feet between banks, but at the 
time of our visit the How was only about 20 feet wide and (J inches deep. The bed is 




Sketch of Kali-Sheets Stream. 

generally rock and coarse gravel. At four difterent places the stream drops in falls 
and cascades. The lake appeared to be from 3 miles to G miles long by f mile wide, 
and is deep toward the center. The bottom, near the outlet, is mud and sand, and 
gravelly in a few places near the shore. This stream has a capacity of about 5,000 
redfish. In 1897 it supplied the cannery at Wrangell as follows: 



Species. 



Kedtish . 
Cohoes . 



July 3 to 28. . 
Aug. 1 to'.l .. 
Aug. U to 28 



3,502 

616 

1,951 



POINT I5ARKIB. 

Point Barrie is the southwest point of Kupreanof Island, and in this vicinity is 
a stream said to have a capacity of 10,000 redfish. A small saltery is located here, 
and is operated with the fivshery by Cyrus Orr. All the fish are sold fresh that can 
be disposed of in that way, but it is out of the track of cannery steamers. Occa- 
sionally a few are sent to Wrangell on the small mail steamer. In 1897 Wrangell 
received 692 redH.sh in that way. In 1890, when the census was taken, there was a 
small Indian village here and a store. Population, 89 Indians and 3 whites. The 
Barauoff Packing Company, of Redtish Bay, received from Point Barrie 4,4G7 redfi.sh 
between July 9 and 20, 1892. 



III. U. S F, C 1898 iTo face page 108-) 




KAH-SHEETS STREAM 




STREAM AT LORING. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 109 

SHIPLEY BAY. 

Shipley Bay is ou the westeru side ofPriuce of Wales Island, and at its head has 
a stream which is said to yield 12,000 redfish annually. A small salteryon the bay is 
operated by Walter Kosmikoff, together with the fishery. This stream, like that at 
Point Barrie, is out of the track of cannery steamers, and a few salmon and salmon 
trout are salted and a few sold fresh. In 1897 the Wrangell cannery received 700 
redflsh from this fishery by mail steamer. The Kedfish Bay cannery, in 1892, from 
July 9 to 20, took 6,762 redfish, and in 1893, from July 8 to 30, 5,295 redfish from this 
stream. These are the only records obtainable. 

All these streams supplying the Wrangell cannery should be further examined. 

BTOLIN ISLAND. 

In 1892 Mr. J. C. Callbreath established a salmon hatchery on a small stream that 
never was known to run many redflsh. It flows into the head of McHenry Inlet, 
on the western side of Etoliu Island. The hatchery was built and is ojierated with 
the belief that salmon return to the parent stream. Mr. Callbreath has given the 
subject of Alaska salmon much study. lie believes that artificial propagation will 
increase the run of this stream to such an extent that they can be taken in large 
numbers and sold with profit to the canneries. 



Klawak is ou the western side of Prince of W'ales Island, near the head of an 
inlet of the same name, which is an arm of Bucarelli Bay. It is ofi' the regular line of 
travel, but is on the mail route between Wrangell and Howkan, and once a month a 
small mail steamer calls at the post ofUce here.. The oldest cannery in Alaska is in 
operation at Klawak, and in connection with it a steam sawmill and store. During the 
summer the settlement has a population of 300, of which number 275 are Indians and 
the rest white and mixed. There are about 50 houses in the vicinity, and also a school 
maintained by the Government. The cannery is one of two that have always been 
operated by Indian labor, and it is this enterprise that has made the village. The 
Indians employed are Haidas from the south, and Heuegas (Thlinget) from the north 
and vicinity. The village is practically deserted during the winter, except by the 
cannery AA'atchmau and the storekeeper, the Indians going to their winter villages. 

A saltery was operated at the place now known as Klawak until 1878, when it was 
purchased, with all its rights, etc., for $5,000 by the North Pacific Trading and Packing 
Company, and the present cannery was built that year. This was the pioneer in the 
salmon-packing business in Alaska and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest 
cannery in operation, and of having made a pack every year since it was started. It 
has a capacity of 400 cases per day, but it has been worked to 700 cases when occasion 
demanded. The plant differs somewhat from those recently installed, in that less 
machinery is used and the pack is largely made by hand. The cutting, filling, and 
cUppiug are all done by hand, and the cookers are old-fashioned, with dome shaped 
or cylindrical covers that are raised by tackle to admit the trays, and then lowered 
and clamped. The plant, however, is very complete; the buildings are large and 
well-aired, there is plenty of room, the wharves are in good condition, and every- 
thing is thoroughly clean. It is said that the pack made here is second to none in 
the market. 



110 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH I'OMMISSION. 



The caunery at Klawak is one of the siiiallei- canneries of Alaska. It packs from 
12,000 to 16,000 cases, tlie fish being obtained from tlie streams north and south of the 
cannery. The field was clear until 1S9(), when the cannery at Hunter Bay was built, 
and since that time the fishermen of the two canneries resort to the same streams on 
the south end of Prince of Wales Island. Ten years ago the Klawak cannery 
received fish from as far south as Hessa, and even from Nichols Bay, but in late years 
the ])rincipal sources of supply of redflsh have been Iletta, the home stream, and Sar- 
Kar, with small intervening streams that some years have furnished from 1,000 to 
2,000 redfish. Cohoes are nowhere very abundant in this district during the canning 
season, though the Indians say that large schools frequently come in after the caunery 
people leave. The Indian's idea of a large number, however, is usually measured by 
his own wants. He has no conception of a large number with reference to a cannery 
supply. 

The Hetta stream has already been described. 

The steam sawmill connected with tlie cannery has a capacity of 15,000 feet per 
day, but is only used for making boxes and supplying local demands. 

The work at Klawak, from the taking of the fisli in the streams to the loading of 
the cases containing the canned product on board the ocean carriers, is nearly all done 
by Indians — men, women, and children. From the earliest operations of the cannery 
nntil 1896 Indian labor has been exclusively employed, but in that year two Chinese 
were engaged, one for cap-cutting and the other for final testing and as genei'al expert. 
In 1S97 seven Chinese were employed, and the manager had under consideration the 
feasibility of using Chinese and doing away with Indian labor, chiefiy upon the ground 
of economy, but also because Chinese labor is more certain and more easily controlled. 
If, at the beginning of or during a season, the cannery sliould decline to accede to the 
demands of the Indians for increased wages, a strike is apt to result, causing the loss 
of a pack. 

In 1S96 the cannery employed 2 white and 40 native fishermen; and in the cau- 
nery the help consisted of 7 whites, 32 klootchmeu, 30 men and boys, and 2 Chinese. 
There were used 4 seines, each 110 fathoms long, and valued at $.300 each. The 
steamer Klaivacl; of 11 tons, with a crew of 4, and valued at $5,000, and the steamer 
Cora, with a crew of 3, and valued at $1,000, were the vessels employed; but in spring 
and fall a vessel was chartered as a transport. One fish-scow valued at $100, and 4 
seine-boats valued at $90 each, were also used. 

The following table gives the packs for 1896 and 1897 : 



Species. 


Dates. 


Niimber 
of oases 
packed. 


Number 

offish 

per case. 


Ill-marks. 




1896. 

July 19 to Aug. 23 

Aug. 15 to Sept. 25 . - - . 
July 24 to Aug. 10 

1897. 

June 26 to Aug. 31 

Aug. 18 to Sept. 20.... 
July 26 to Aug. 22 


14, 089 13 
2, 073 8 to 9< 


40 barrels of salmon bellies were 
salted, 300 cases of clams were 
packed (24 two-pound cans to 
the case), also 300 cases of 
clam juice (24 ouc-piut cans 
per case). 

200 cases of clams and 200 cases 
of clam juice were al.so packed. 




Humpbacks 


■ 513 

9,520 
1,995 
4,190 


1 
1 









The sawmill and its machinery are valued at $13,000. The machinery also fur- 
nishes the motive power for the cannery. The cannery buildings, complete with 
storehouse, wharves, tramways, machinery, tools, fixtures, retorts, etc., are valued at a 



Bull. U, S, F C, 1898. (To face page 110.1 




HATCHERY AT KLAWAK. 







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CANNERY AT KLAWAK. 



'I'lll'l SALMOX AND SAI.MON KISHKRIKS OF ALASKA. Ill 

Jittln iiiider ><'2(»,()(M). 'IMic wlioK; pro|)(!rty, iiicliuliii};' iiH tiic abovi;, <!iiimeiy ;iii<l Hiiw 
mill, Imililiiifi's, (l\velliiif;.s, whiirvcs, tools, (ixtiircs, iiiid iiiachinery, .steainoiH, hoatH, 
seines, eU;., but exclusive of material on iiaud, is valued at alwut .tr>(»,()0(). 

Wlieii salmon were beiu}^ paciked it was noticed tiiat Uh: butchers on the fisii (loat 
threw all the heads into eanoes waiting alongside to receive them, and numy <;anoe 
loads were earrie<l away. Ui>t>ii incjuiry it was learned tiiat tlu; heads are |)ut in 
baskets or bags placed along tiie shores betw<-en the liigli and low water marks, 
weighted with stones to keej) tluMii in plae(f, and left Cor a week or ten days until 
thoroughly ripe; the snout or nose is then cut oil' and consumed by the Indians as a 
great delicacy. 

I'ACKlNf} CI-AMS AT KI.AWAK. 

The clams in this vicinity are very abundant, and in the late summer ;iiid Call 
they are in excellent condition for |)acking, being Cull-llavored and white. In the 
spring they are very dark. The cannery each Call makes a small pack of a few hun- 
dred leases when the, run of salmon grows slack, and the plant is idle several days at a 
time for want of lish. Owing to the great range oC tide in Alaska and the great <lif- 
fcrences in the range, clams can only be obtained! in ipiantities for a few days <luring 
the s|)ring tides, so that if ther(; were a large dcmatjd Cor tlnun the i)ack would have 
to be incidental to the salmon pack oi' to sonu; other inilustry to make it pay. So Car, 
however, there has been very little demand for this [iroduct; the comi)any has been 
unable to introduce it in competition with eastern goods. Tin; clams are d(;li(;ions, 
and the Juicts as prc^pared is pure and unadulteratiid except by the steam in cooking. 

The Klawak cannery usually takes a few days in .Se|)temb(;r for the clam pack, 
and i)rior to that time it iiotilies the Indians that clams will be purchased. Ten 
cents a bucketful is paid, the bucket holding about a peck. The wharf is (irst 
thoroughly <;leaiised and tlie clains are spread in one layer over it. A stream of salt 
water is then directed over them from a steam pump until they are perfectly clean. 
The (tlams are next put in a large perforated (cylinder or tub h(dding about S bushels, 
and this rests on iron (trosspleces i)laced over the up|)er eiul of a tight mcital tub, 
which is a little larger in diameter and about one-third the height of the vessfd iu 
which the clams are placed. The whole is so arranged that in cooking, when the 
steam passes through the perforated tub holding the clams, the Juice will fall into 
the lower tub. The tubs are made cylindrical in order to fit the letorts used here. 
The clams are then placed in the retorts, cooked under jiressure at a temjxuatureoC 
220*5 l.\ Co,, twenty niiiuxtes, and then removed and jtlaced on long, slatted tables, 
arouiul which are seated "klootcbmen,'' who remove the meat and cut off the black 
siphon or snout. The meat is carried to another tabh;, cleansed by being jiassed 
through hot salt-water, and then jtacked into 2-pound cans. When the can is filled 
U> the top with meat, hot Juice is poured in, comphitely filling ail the spaces, and the 
cans then go the solderer, by whom they are scaled. 

The Juice, when removed ftom the retorts, is put into a barrel, and what is not 
used for filling uii the cans of clams is poured into separatt; tins, each holding a pint. 
()uei)ound salniou cans are used for the Juice, with caps having a small apertun; to 
admit of soldering. After the cans are sealed they are tested, cooked, vented, s(;aled, 
cooked, tested, cooled, lacijuered, tested, labeled, and cased. The day the cannery 
was visited 1,092 buckets of clams were packed, making 224 cases of 21 two jiound tins 
of clams and 190 cases of 24 one-pint tins of Juice. 



112 



HULLICTIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The Indians do all the work. They are neat, clean, and tidy, perform their work 
deftly, and receive $1 per day. It is extra work and not jiaid for by the piece. Before 
work was commenced about forty klootchmeu jire.sented themselves for employment, 
and from this number the manager made his .selection. 

KLAWAK STREAM. 

Near the ui)per end of Klawak Inlet is a large island, close to the eastern shore, 
and around the northern end of this island is a narrow channel leading to the can- 
nery, which, with the village, is on the southern end of a head making out from the 
main shore of Prince of Wales Island. A narrow passage around the cannery leads 
back of the buildings to a salt-water basin less than half a mile in diameter. This 
basin receives the waters of the home stream. 

Klawak Stream is a lake outlet and from the lake it flows in a general west- 
southwest direction for 2^ miles, with an average width of fully 100 feet. It flows 
with a strong cur- 
rent, in a large vol- 
ume, over a bowldery 
and rocky bottom, 
and empties into the 
basin previously men- 
tioned. There are 
three rai)ids, one at 
the lake end of the 



ArW/fl||Il!ll!\ll^^^^^'^ 




outlet, one uear the mouth, and 

one about midway, over which the 

fish probably have some difficulty 

in passing, but that they are not 

insurmountable is proved by the 

presence of fish in the lake. There 

are a number of side passages 

and i)ools in the stream, in which 

humpbacks and dog salmon spawn. 

The cannery company is considering either placing lish-ladders at the most ditticult 

points of the stream or blasting out some of the ledges. 

The lake is an irregular-shaped, elongated body of water, about 10 miles long in a 
general west-northwest and east southeast direction, and from 1 to 2 miles in width. 
The shores, except for a short distance around the upper end, are low and flat and 



Sketch (if Klawak Stream and Lake. 



. U, S, F C. 1898, (To face page 112.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



li;', 



extend back for a considerable distaixie before reachiuy tlie slopes rising to tlie hi{;'ber 
ranges. This flat country is heavily wooded and along the shores are a number of 
gravelly beaches. The lake is fed by four large streams and several smaller ones. 
One on the northern shore half a mile from the outlet, one about 3 miles from the 
outlet on the same shore, and one at the head of the lake are all spawning-grounds 
for redfish. The largest stream enters the lake on the southern shore about 3 miles 
from the outlet, but red salmon do not spawn there. It drains a very low, flat area. 

Klawak Stream has probably been fished longer and more assiduously tluin any 
other stream of Alaska. The cannery has been operated twenty seasons and a large 
number of fish taken from around the mouth of the stream at the cannery door. The 
natural facilities for taking the fish are very great, as they enter a natural trap in the 
basin back of the cannery and school around the mouth of the stream. The stream 
was barricaded and had an Indian trap in it for years, but as it was becoming depleted 
all traps and barricades were removed some years ago, and now the stream is care- 
fully guarded and less extensively fished, in the hope of ))uilding up the run. There 
are now no signs of artificial barriers anywhere. 

It is said that in the early days 80,000 redfish could be taken annually in the 
stream. The record for the past twelve years gives an average of 30,271, the largest 
catch being 62,002 in 18S8. In 1890, a good redfish year, 37,172 were taken, and in 
1897, a ijoor year, 12,701. A few steelheads are taken by the Indians. The stream at 
present is undoubtedly good for 35,000 redfish, and probably 40,000 under good con- 
ditions. It is believed that if properly cared for it could produce 80,000 redfish 
annually. 

The following is the record of the stream since 1886 : 



Species. 


Tear. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Species. 


Year. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Kedflsh 


1886 


.July 21 to Aug. 20 


5,424 


Kedflsh 


1892 


June 24 to Aug. 17 


40,555 


Do 


1887 


.June 27 to Aug. 15 


41.180 


Do 


1893 


Juno22 to Aug. 31 


33. 166 


Do 


1888 


June 27 to Aug. 22 


02,602 


Do 


1894 


June 21 to Aug. 15 


.34, 722 


Do 


1889 


July 1 to Aug. 13 


19, 361 


Do 


1895 


.Iuno23to Aug. 14 


40, 526 


Humpbacks . 


1889 


July 22 to Aug. 13 


92, 094 


Do 


1896 


June29to Aug. 31 


37, 172 


Redfish 


1890 


June 30 to Aug. 30 


49, 689 


Cohoes 


189B 


Sept. 12 to 27 


2,667 


Do 


1891 


June 16 to Aug. 15 


58, 096 


Eedtish 


1897 


June 25 to Aug. 3 . 


12,764 



As the stream was not fished to any extent in 1886 and 1897, the average for the 
intervening ten years would be .about 41,700. 

KLAWAK HATCHEEY. 

Eealizing the value of Klawak Stream to the cannery, and the importance of the 
natural spawning conditions in the lake and its feeders, the managers determined to 
try to improve the catch by operating a hatchery. Accordingly, in May and June, 
1897, a hatchery, with a dwelling for the attendants, was erected on the right bank 
of the outlet, close to the lake and immediately below the uppi^r rapids. The western 
end of the lake narrows so gradually that it is difficult to tell where it ends and the 
outlet begins, but the first or upper rapids seem to be the natural line of demarcation. 
Here the stream is from 150 to 200 feet wide, and falls and tumbles about 10 feet in a 
a cataract, immediately below which the hatchery site was selected. The water was 
conducted in a wooden trough from the lake al)ove the rapids to the building, which 
was built from the bank out over a side eddy or widening of tiie njain stream, so that 
a slight current flows uuder the building. 

F. C. li., 1898—8 



114 



liULLETlN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The hatchery is a substantial board structure, 50 feet by 16 feet, stripped over the 
joints to make it tight, and shingled with spruce shingles. It is lighted with five win- 
dows facing the timber and entered by a door at either end, from which a platform leads 
to the shore. The hatchery fixtures consist of 8 troughs, 10 feet long by 16 inches wide, 
placed in pairs, each li pairs end-on, so that there are 2 sets of troughs running 32 feet 
in length, broken in the middle, the 2 lower pairs in each set being 4 inches lower, 
allowing that much fall to tlie water for aeration. 

The water is conducted from the lake above thti rapids in a V-shaped trough to 
the upper end of the building on the river side, and, after passing through a large 
sluice bos packed as a filter and running across the heads of the hatchery troughs, is 
conducted through them. These troughs are made of planed lumber well coated with 

asphalt varnish, with 

I. sof' I sheet-iron partitions 

also coated with as- 
phalt, and are so 
arranged as to give 
sufficient space for 
handling the baskets 
and to permit the cir- 
zz culatingwater topass 
under the partition at 
• the head and over the 



-J?// — — 



Plan of Klawak Hatchery. 



one at the foot, thus percolating through the eggs; that is, there are two partitions 
separating each basket compartment. The upper partition extends to the bottom of 
the trough and is of such height as to allow the water to flow over the top. The lower 
one is of such height as not to permit the water to flow over it, but is raised from the 
bottom of the trough so that the water flows under. They are regular Williamson 
troughs. 

On the bottoms of the troughs are small sheet-iron rests, varnished, which permit 
the baskets to rest upon them and clear the bottom by about 1 inch. The troughs 
have compartments for 50 baskets. The latter are of woven wire, 7 parts to the inch, 
and are 24 inches by 14 inches by 5 inches. The number of eggs placed in each basket 
here is 50,000, giving the troughs a capacity of 2,800,000. As the passageways are 
very wide, the caj)acity of the hatchery could very easily be increased a half, making 
it 4,200,000. The waste water is returned to the stream by iron pipes at the foot of 
the troughs. The hatchery was ready for work July 25. Early in .July the first 
redfish were seen in the lake, and on July 25 fish were seen in the trap at the mouth 
of Half-mile Greek. On August 1 a ripe female was captured and stripiied, and from 
that day there was a gradual increase in numbers until September 10, when they were 
at their height and <iO females were stripped. The last stripping took i^lace September 
14. Early in September heavy i-ains set in, causing the highest floods known at the 
cannery, and washing out the traps so that no fish could be obtained after the 14th. 
It is believed that under average conditions many ripe fish could be obtained after 
that date. 

The males first arrived in considerable numbers, followed closely by the females. 
It was noticed here, as in Redfish Bay, that there were more males than females. The 
total number of eggs taken during the season was 2,023,000, of which number about 
800,000 were hatched and the fry returned to the lake. There were about 4,000 eggs 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIKS OF ALASKA. 115 

to the tish. The small percentage hatched was due to fungus, inexperience and the high 
temperature of the water in the lake being factors. Of the eggs fertilized on August 1 
the eye-spots appeared in 18 days, and a few were hatching out Sei)teinber i;5, but 
died immediately. The first fish to survive hatched out September 16 (47 days), and 
the first were planted on October 12. A short season of very warm weather raised 
the temperature of the surface water abuornially. When the temperature was taken 
it was 05°, and it is believed to have been much higher. 

After the first set of eggs had been in the trough about a week a slime or fungus 
gathered ou the wirework of the baskets, the eggs sticking together and dying. At 
this time the water was carried to the distributing trough and thence through the 
hatchery troughs direct from the lake. A distributing trough for one set of baskets 
was then packed for a filter with coarse gravel and charcoal, and then layer by layer 
with finer material to the top, and at the time of my visit the second distributing- 
trough was being prepared in the same manner. This filter relieved the slime or 
fungus somewhat, but did not stop it altogether. 

The appliances in the Klawak hatchery seem all very good, and the methods are 
those usually adopted at standard stations. 

The eggs for the hatchery were obtained from fish taken at the Half mile Stream 
and at the Three-mile Stream, on the northern side of the lake. The former has its 
source in two small lakes and empties into the large lake by a short delta in three 
arms. It is accessible to fish for about a mile, when it fiows over a fall too high for 
fish to ascend. On the day of our visit the stream was much swollen by the heavy 
rains; two of the arms were about 30 feet in width, and the third 25 feet, with an 
average depth of 18 inches. Under average conditions there is very little water flow- 
ing in any but the middle arm, and at its mouth is a trap of stakes bound together, 
elliptical in form, the long diameter touching the banks at the extremities. On the 
lake side it is arranged in two places with cii'cular openings having stakes pointed 
inward and converging like the opening in a rat trap, allowing the fish to enter, but 
not to leave. The fish entering here and impounded are removed by a dip net and, 
if ripe, they are stripped at once and the eggs fertilized; if not ripe, the fish are 
returned to the lake. The fertilized eggs are then carried by boat to the hatchery and 
placed in the hatchery troughs. 

The Three mile Stream also empties through a delta, but is much larger than the 
Half-mile Stream. It rises iu the mountains, a large part of the water flowing over a 
high cascade. The water is clear and pure, and of an even, low temperature summer 
and winter. It has a gravel bottom and a large supply of fish. The redfish spawn 
in this stream for a long distance, and the hatchery in the summer of 1897 drew 
largely upon it for its supply of eggs. A trap similar to the one described has been 
placed here. 

The stream at the head of the lake has not been thoroughly tested, but it is known 
to be large and that redfish spawn in it iu numbers. It flows from a chain of lakes. 

All these streams have ideal bottoms for nesting, and in my opinion the natural 
conditions for spawning can not be surpassed. There are few, if any, localities in 
southeast Alaska so well adapted for a hatchery site. If the Government should 
ever desire to establish a hatchery in this region it is believed that here the greatest 
success could be obtained with the least expenditure of money. Not only are the 
natural conditions superior, but by an easy trail the lake is only 2| miles distant from 
Klawak, which has a monthly mail. 



IIG 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH CuMMISi^lON. 



SAR-KAE AND VICINITY. 

Sar-Kar is on the western side of Prince of Wales Island, at the lower end of 
SLiikbine Straits, above tlie village of Tuxecan, and abont 40 miles from Klawak. 
The stream is claimed by Mr. Fred. lirockman, who lives here, operates a small saltery, 
and sells tisli fresh to Klawak canuery. The price varies, but about 4 cents is paid 
])er fish, the cannery steamer calling for them. Mr. Brockman salts a few humpback 
bellies (300 half-bariels iii 1897) and such other fish as are not called for by the 
cannery steamer. The average number of fish delivered to Klawak from this stream is 
10,000 redfish and 0,300 cohoes. These numbers lepresent the capacity of the stream. 

The following is the record so far as it can be obtained : 



Year. 


Eedflsh. 


CoboeH. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Dates. 


Number. 




July 3 to Aug. 4 

June28toJulTll 

July 3 toAug^SO 

July (! to Aug. 16 

June2:ito Aug. 21.... 

June 24 to Aug. 19 

June 24 to July 30 

July 7 to Aug. 2 

June 26 to Aug. 31 

June 18 to Aug. 2 


6,476 
6,834 
11,555 
16, 267 
36,033 
24,024 
9,797 
12, 678 
11,636 
20, 480 
21, 667 








Aug. 7 to Sept. 8 


14, 528 






July 25 to Sept. 6 

Aug. 19 to Sept. 10.... 
July 27 to Aug. 23 ... . 


15,331 
9,033 . 
4,700 












] 




July 21 to .Sept. 4 

Aug. 2 to Sept. 2 

Aug. 17 to Sept. 1 


3.830 1 
9, G43 1 
8,207 ' 













Warm Chuck is a stream in the vicinity of Tuxecan, and some years furnishes as 
many as 8,000 redfish. 

Tok-Hehe and Ka-Hehe are other small streams in the same locality, from which 
1,000 to 2,000 redfish were taken some years ago. 

Eeke, Sukkwan, Kassook, Klakas, and Hessa, from which some years ago fish 
were obtained for the Klawak cannery, have been described. 

The cannery steamer with a fishing crew visits the smaller streams in the vicinity 
where no regular fisheries are established and makes the catch by means of drag 
seines. Traps have been tried in the inlet at Klawak; one was driven in 1807 at 
an exiiense of $2,000, but without success warranting the outlay. Gill nets have also 
been tried, but with very little success. 

KEDFISH BAY. 

Redfish Bay is on the western coast of Baranoff Island, about oS miles south of 
Sitka. The head of the bay opens out and afibrds good anchorage for moderate sized 
vessels, and at its extreme end is the cannery of the Baranofl' Packing Company. 
This company built a cannery at the Redoubt, about 12 miles below Sitka, in 1889, 
and operated it that year and in 1890. It was then moved to its juesent location on 
Redfish Bay, making the fir.st pack there in 1891. It has been operated every year 
since its organization, and has a capacity of 500 cases a day. 

In 1891) and 1897 the cannery employed 17 natives as fishermen, and 3 whites and 
31 Chinese in the cannery. They used 2 drag seines, 125 fathoms long, valued at 
SL-jO per fathom. One steamer, the Wigwaw, of 21 net tons, with a crew of 5, and 
valued at $10,000, was employed. A chartered vessel traiKsjiorted the outfit in the 
spring and the pack in the fall. Four seine boats were used, valued at $75 each. 
The cannery is valued at $12,000, which includes buildings and machinery. 



Bull. U, S F C 1898, (To face page 116.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
The following table gives the pack for 1890 and 1807: 



117 



Species. 



Eedfish 

(Jolioea 

Hnnii)back3 . 

Redfish 

Cohoea 

Humpbacks . 



June 22 to Aug. 20. 1896. 
Aug. 15 to Sept. 25, 1896. 
Julv 19 to Aug. 31, 1896. 
Juiie27 to Aug. 28,1897. 
Aug. 2 to Sept. 14, 1897. 
July 19 to Sept. 1,1897. 



Cases 


No.ot'tUh 


packed. 


per case. 


9,338 


11 


2, 157 


5 


3,863 


23 


4, 058 


11 


1,576 


5 


8.436 


23 



Though the average number of fish per case in 1897 is given the same as for 189fi, 
it seems much higher for redfi.sh, on account of the large number of fish from Necker 
liay, which run as high as 30 to the case, and have not been considered in the average. 

The Chinese contract was at 44 cents per case; the fishermen were paid §1.75 
lier day and board. As there is the same trouble here in holding the native labor 
tliioughout the season, $1.50 is paid and the remainder reserved until the end of the 
season, when, by contract, it is forfeited if the native leaves without permission. 

The cannery is small, having an output slightly less than that of Klawak. It has 
no regular fishing stations and purchases fish only incidentally. The steamer goes 
from stream to stream where it is believed that fish may be obtained, and when loaded 
it returns to the cannery. If a stream is found having a good run of fish, a seining 
gang is left there. The streams are scattered over a territory fished by no other 
cannery, and range on the outer coast from Cape Ommauey to Cross Sound and on 
both sides of Chatham Strait from Icy Straits to Cape Ommaney. It is one of the 
hardest fishing routes in Alaska. The streams all lie in nnsurveyed districts, and as a 
rule are small and uncertain. A stream that yields 4,000 to 5,000 redtish one year may 
not have enough the next to feed a native family. A stream in Chatham Strait, 
fished by this cannery, was prospected secretly and independently one year with great 
success by different parties. The following year they met at the mouth of the stream 
with big outfits, neither previously knowing the other's intentions, and where there had 
been thousands of fish the year before, there were not enough to salt a dozen barrels. 

The cannery is at the extreme end of Kedfisli Bay, which runs north-northwest 
and south-southeast. The mouth of the home stream is west from the cannery about 
300 yards. 

REDFISH BAY STREAM. 

This is a lake outlet and fiows from the lake in a general east-southeast direction 
over a rocky bed, with considerable velocity. The stream is about half a mile long, 
and the width between banks is 50 feet, though at the time of our visit it did not flow 
more than 8 inches deep at a ])oint where it was 20 feet wide. There are numerous 
low falls and rapids, but none which prevent redtish or cohoes from ascending, though 
it is doubtful if hum])backs or dog salmon enter the lake. From appearances the 
volume of discharge varies largely. 

The lake is hour-glass-shaped, and has a, greatest length of li miles in a north- 
and-south direction, with a greatest width of ^ mile at the southern end. Except at 
the outlet, the lake is hemmed in by very precipitous mountains from 800 to 1,500 
feet high, in some places rising nearly vertically 000 or 800 feet. On approaching 
the northern end, however, it is seen that the mrtuutains lie a short distance back 
leaving a rising wooded shelf a few hundred yards wide, except on the eastern side 
where the dry bed of a torrent appears in a narrow canyon, which extends back about 
a mile and ends in a cul-de-sac. 



118 



liULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FlSd COMMISSION. 



The lake is fed by a number of cascades, several of tliem very beautiful. There 
is absolutely no stream flowing iu over a bed in which tish can spawn. The cascades 
either tumble directly into the lake or by a series of short waterfalls. At the head 
of the lake on the eastern side are the several dry, bowldery beds of a torrent, previ- 
ously alluded to, which form a Junction about a quarter of a mile from the lake, and 
then continue as one bed, except where the stream in its flood lias met some obstruc- 
tion and has torn its way through by several channels, carrying everything before it. 
About half a mile from the lake a considerable flow of water falls over a log jam 
into a pool, where it is swallowed up. Advancing farther, tlie stream increases in 
volume and the mountains come close together, until the bed is hemmed in by a nar- 
row gorge, and one lo6ks up vertically to the top of the 
mountain. In cue place there is a sheer fall of 800 to 1,000 
feet. About a mile from the lake the gorge ends, and the 
stream falls over tlie comparatively low gap in a beautiful 
cascade about 150 feet high. The rise from the lake to the 
cascade is about 1 to 10. The question is, What becomes 
of the water? On examination it is seen that huge slides 
from the surrounding mountains are not infrequent, and that 
the timber bordering the bed of the torrent grows upon the 
detritus; in fact, the whole shelf at the upper end of the 
lake is of the same material — great angular blocks, gxading 
down to finer material. Great trees, torn u]) by the roots 
and piled in with rocks carried down, are scattered every- 
where; bowlders piled up iu fantastic shapes — all show the 
violence of the torrent. Trees that have been thrown across 
the stream and jammed have great hollows i)ounded in the 
upi)er surfaces by the rocks as they are swept onward by the 
current. Tliis shelf, then, consists of these angular blocks; 
they are not waterworn, and there is no large amount of fine 
material. This formation probably extends to a con,siderable 
depth, and in the bed of the stream it permits the water to 
percolate through the interstices and find its way by seepage 
into the lake. When the stream is at its flood the volume is 
too great to sink away, and it flows into the lake as a torrent 
over what was a dry bed at the time of our visit. 
Under such conditions the redflsh must spawn in the lake, and the cannery foreman, 
who winters here, states that he has frequently observed them spawning on the shelf oft' 
the dry bed of the torrent, making no nests. This shelf is poorly adapted for spawning- 
beds. It is only a few yards wide when it drops off into deep water, and is composed 
of rocky material that could not be used for nesting. The peculiar conditions that 
prevail here in reference to these spawning-grounds are exceedingly interesting, from 
tlie fact that redflsh not only spawn in the lake, but under conditions entirely different 
from those usually believed to be necessary. Yet the stream can be relied upon for 
redflsh, and a large number are taken very year in the vicinity of its mouth, or on the 
flshing ground; the average catch during seven years was 34,903, the laj-gest num- 
ber, G9,5.J3, being taken in 1.S94. At the point selected for spawning beds the salmon 




Sketch of Redfish Bay Lake 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



119 



are under the iutlueiice of the water seeping through under the dry bed of the torrent, 
which is probably of different temperature and conditions from the lalie water. 

At the head of the lake, on the western side, several streamlets discharge from a 
cascade that spreads over the face of a vertical roclv a few hundred yards back from 
the shore line. On the lake shelf at this point the cohoes spawn, and if the streamlets 
are swollen they work their way into the mouths, where small pools are formed. The 
water level of the lake varies greatly, and when the cascades freeze the lake falls, aud, 
as the cohoes spawn so high up on the lake shelf, their eggs are exposed and lost. To 
remedy this a dam was constructed in 1897 across the outlet at the lake end, with a 
central opening about G feet wide. After the fish are all up, and before the cascades 




f^^i^&Vi^^i 



Hatchery at Redlish Bay. 

freeze, it was the intention to close the opening of the dam, so that the lake may be 
hold at a level sufficiently liigh to keep the eggs covered. 

The run of redlish here usually extends late in the season. During the time of our 
visit (September 5 to 8) some of them taken in gill nets looked as if they were just in from 
the sea. The cannery could have made large hauls at this time, but care has been taken 
not to overfish, so as to have as many fish as possible enter the lake. The foreman 
stated that in 1896 he first noticed red salmon spawning on November 3, and from 
that time they were seen in large numbers until December 3; after that date only 
occasional ones until Christmas, and after that none were seen. The cohoes, though 
much later to run, commenced spawning October 3, continuing into January. 

The company operating the cannery, appreciating the value of the home stream, and 
desiring to increase its outjmt, built a hatchery during the summer of 1S9G, aud finished 



120 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



it ill time for experimental work in the fiill of that year. The hatchery is located at 
the head of the lake, between the dry bed of the torrent and the streamlets flowing 
from the cascade, and near the latter. It consists of a log and rough board building, 
20 by .'iO feet, shingle-roofed, having at one end a room itartitioned oft' for the super- 
intendent's quarters, and in the space at the other side of the same end, a boiler and 
jjunip were installed in 1897. 

There are eight hatching-troughs, each Ki feet long, 1- inches wide, and 11 inches 
deep, made of nnplaned and unpainted boards, 1 inch thick and 12 inches wide. They 
are arranged in three pairs and one agj^inst the wall, on either side of the building^ 
leaving fonr passageways between them. There are six compartments in each trough, 
30 inches long, separated by solid woodeu partitions G inches high, joined tightly to the 
bottom and allowing the water to flow only over the top. In each compartment are two 
J-inch round iron rods, fixed transversely ^incb from the bottom, for tlie baskets to 
rest upon. The baskets are 24 by lOA by <! inches, and hold about 2r),000 eggs. 

Water from the cataract, a few hundreds yards back of the hatchery building, 
is conducted by a box flume to the northeast corner of the hatchery building into a 
transverse distributing trough, from which it passes through the hatching-troughs, 
and thence by a waste pipe out of the building. The arrangement of the partitions 
allows only circulation over the top. There was no record kept of the operations in 
the fall of 1S90. About one week after they had commenced to gather eggs, and had 
200,000 in the baskets, unexpected cold weather set in and not only froze the flume 
solid, but froze up tlie whole cataract. Being without water, the eggs were put in the 
lake and left to their fate. It was the Intention for 18!)7, in the event of a freeze, to 
pump from the lake and use a filter. The water from the cataract is about 8'^ lower 
in temperature than the lake water. The fish are taken from the lake in seines, and 
those that are ripe are strii)ped, while the rest are returned to the lake. 

The following is the record of Redflsh Bay Stream since 1890 : 



Speciea. 


Year. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Species. 


Year. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Redflsh . . 
Do.... 
Do.... 
Do.... 
Do... 


1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 


July 18 to Aug. 24 . 
July 9 t« Sept. 20.. 
July e to Aug. 6 ... 
July 14 to Sept. 2 . . 
July 29 to Aug. 12 . 


24,367 
♦53 310 
48, 000 
26, 434 
69, 553 


Redflsh... 

Do 

Do 

Cohops ... 
Do 


1895 
1896 
1897 
1693 
1895 


June 28 to Sept. 21- 
Junel to Aug. 10.. 
Junel to Aug. 10 .. 


40, 969 
15, 000 
20, 000 
303 
1,512 


Aug. 26 to Sept. 21 . 



* Includes a few cohoes. 
VICINITY OF REDFISH BAY, ETC. 

Little Whale Bay, about 20 miles to the northward of Kedfish Bay, has a stream 
from which 2,000 to 3,000 redfish and the same number of cohoes are taken. 

Necker Bay, next north of Whale Bay, has a stream which is remarkable for the 
large run of small redfish. The average number of fish per year taken from this 
locality by the cannery during the past nine years is 40,000; the largest number in 
any one year was 105,572. They are fully matured, I am told, and run from 28 to 30 
to the case. This would give an average of rather less than 2i pounds in weiglit, and 
it is asserted that every year the fish average about the same in weight. 

The Redoubt, referred to under the cannery history as the first location of this 
cannery, has a short outlet to a large lake and was a favorite place of the Russians and 
the principal source of salmon supply for the Sitiia colony. It was dammed solidly 
for years, and from a stream out of which many thousand salmon were formerly taken 
each year, the catch Las dwindled down to about 6,000. 



. U. S F. C, 1 898. (To face pagn 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OP ALASKA. 121 

Oaix; Edward, Smith, Olsen, and O'llara bays are on the outside of Chichagof 
Island, and Surge Bay is on the outside of Vakobl Island. All are unsurveyed local- 
ities, from which a i'ew redfish are taken for RedMsh Bay cannery. 

Sitkoh Bay, (iut Bay, I^alls Greek, Point Ellis, Kuiu Bay, Shipley Bay, and 
Point Barrie iu Chatham Strait are localities from which a few redfish are caught for 
the same cannery. All these streams should be examined; probal)ly none of them arc 
of much importance; still the negative evidence may be of value. It is said that 
formerly many of these streams were barricaded, but that they are now all opeu. 

ASTORIA AND ALASKA PACKIN(f COMPANY. 

A cannery was built by this company in 1889, in Pavlof Ilarbor, Freshwater Bay, 
on the eastern side of Chicbagof Island. Messrs. Sanborn & Ellmore, of Astoria, 
were the promoters of the enterprise. It made a pack in that year, and in the spring 
of 1890 was moved to the South Bay of Pillars (Point Ellis), on the eastern side of 
Kuiu Island, packing that year and also in 1891. It was burned iu May, 1892. The 
cannery was located on the southern shore of the bay. 

The streams fished for this cannery were the following: 

The home stream, known usually as the Point I'lllis Stream, at the head of 
South Bay of Pillars, from which in 1891 the cannery obtained 35,000 redlish, 5, 090 
echoes, and 100,000 humpbacks. 

Pillar Bay Stream is at the head of the North Bay of Pillars, and is said to have 
furnished the cannery in 1891 with a large number of cohoes and humpbacks. A 
.small saltery is uow located here and operated by Mr. Jack Mantle. 

Near the head of Tcbeakof, or Kou Bay, is a stream usually known as Kuui 
Stream, which in 1891 furnished the cannery with a large number of redlish, cohoes, 
and humpbacks. A few fish were also taken from several small streams on Baraiiof 
Island, aud from Sitkoh Bay on Cbichagof Island, none of which were visited. 

Baranof Island has a number of streams in which redfish are found, but ex(!ept 
Redfish Bay and Necker Bay they are said to be unreliable, aud at best carry a very 
limited number. This is also true of Chichagof Frequent inquiries were made about 
Admiralty Island, but only two redfish streams were heard of, and these are doubtful. 

This country has all been prospected over, aud it is thought that the streams are 
fairly well known; but a further visit to all these localities should be nuide, so that 
some detiuite knowledge in relation to them may be on record. 

KILLISNOO. 

Killisnoo is on the northeastern side of Kenasnow Island, close to the western 
shore of Admiralty Island, opposite Peril Straits, aud about 3 miles south of the 
entrance to Kootznahoo Iidet. It is a regular calling place for the steamers of the 
Pacific Coast Steamship Company. It has a post ollice, store, (Tovernment school, and 
a Greek chapel. In 1890 the regular po|)ulation was 79. The works of the Alaska 
Oil and Guauo Company, incorporated with a capital stock of $7.^,000, are located 
here. The business of the company is to extract the oil from the herring and convert 
the refuse into guauo. Incidentally a few salmon and herring are salted. 

In 1880 Messrs. Spuhn & Vanderbilt came to Alaska, operating under the title of 
the Northwest Trading Company, for the purpose of establishing stores for trade with 
the natives. One store was located at Killisnoo, an old Hudson Bay (Jompany station. 



122 liULLETIN OF THE INITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

As herring were plentiful in the inlet at KootzTiahoo, a small plant was installed 
in 1882 for extracting oil, simply in an experimental way, and as it proved successful 
it was gradually enlarged until its present capacity is said to be 1,800 barrels of 
herring in twenty four hours, or 350,000 gallons of oil, 1,500 tons of guano, and 1,000 
half barrels of salt herring for the season. As prices are now low, the works are not 
run to their full capacity. In 1884 the plant for the manufacture of guano was 
installed and operated. In 1888 the Northwest Trading Company, which also built 
the Pyramid Harbor salmon cannery in 1883, went into the hands of trustees, and 
the present company was organized. 

The works are quite extensive, the buildings large, machinery excellent, store- 
houses roomy, wharves commodious, and the plant similar to the menhaden oil works 
on the eastern coast. The common barrels used are made on the place by machinery. 
The steamer Dolphin, of GO tons net register, valued at $10,000, with a crew of 
18, including fishermen, is used for cruising through interior waters for fish. The 
steamers Favorite and ivo«i.se operate in the inlet with scows, using 3 purse seines, 125 
to 150 fathoms long, 12 fathoms deep, i-inch stretched mesh, valued at .$1,000 each, 
fully rigged. The Furor ite is 42 tons net, and is valued at $5,000; it has a crew of 16, 
including fishermen, viz, <> wliites, 9 natives, and 1 Chinese cook. The steamer Louise 

is 5 tons net, valued at 
$3,(100, and has a crew of 
3. Three lighters, worth 
$800 each, and S .seine 
boats, valued at $125 
each, besides numerous 
skiffs, etc., are employed. 
This year a trap was 
driven in the inlet, but 
at the time of our visit 
it had not proved satis- 
factory. In and about the factory IT whites, 35 natives, 3 Chinese, and 5 Japanese 
are employed. 

The white fishermen are i)aid $50 a month, and board ; the native fishermen get 
$1.50 a day, or practically $45 a month, for they are paid even if detained, and while 
board is not stipulated they practically get it. Laborers generally have $1 a day, 
but about 10 of theiu, who have been employed a long time and are faithful, having 
the more dirticult work to do, receive $1.50 per day. Boys are paid 50 cents a day. 
A good native fisherman or laborer makes about $200 a season. All wages are paid 
in cash, the company disbursing $10,000 to $15,000 a year to the natives and the few 
white men who make Killisnoo their home. 

The factory is ready for operation from July 1 to December 31. 
A barrel of herring weighing 200 pounds contains from 700 to 800 fish. The 
price of pressed oil is 30 cents a gallon, crude oil 25 cents a gallon, the refuse of the 
pressed oil 20 cents a gallon. The guano brings from $25 to $27 per ton. The oil 
goes largely to San Francisco, jSTew York, and England, and is used for tanning, the 
manufacture of soap, and adulterations. A considerable portion of the guano is sold 
in Hawaii. 

During the spawning season the herring are very poor an<l furnish no oil; it is 
not until June, when their food appears, that they commence to fatten. In that 




Sketch of licirin;; traji at Koot/.nnhiio Inlt-t. 



THE SALMON AXD SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 123 

mouth one barrel of herrinfr will furuisli about lialf a gallou of oil, sometimes less; 
from tliis time the oil increases until the early part of September, when about 3i 
gallons of oil are obtained from one barrel of fish. It then decreases, and in December 
a barrel of fish will furnish about 2 gallons of oil. 

Oue hundred barrels of herring make 2^ tons of dry fishguano. This is simply 
fish refuse dried in retorts after the oil has been extracted, and containing 8 to 10 per 
cent of moisture. 

In ISOrt the output was as follows : From 27,750 barrels of herring there were made 
90,(550 gallons of oil and 550 tons of guano. This is the smallest output of oil since 
the second year of operation. 250 half-barrels of herring, 25 barrels of salmon, and 150 
half-barrels of salmon bellies were salted. 

At the time of our visit the oil and guano works were running to their full capacity, 
and the statistics for 1S97 could not then be obtained. Later it was learned that the 
catch for 1897 amounted to 35,000 barrels of herring, from which 125,000 gallons of 
oil were prepared, valued at 25 cents per gallon, 780 tons of fish fertilizer valued at 
827 per ton, and 950 half-barrels of salt herring valued at $3.50 per half-barrel. The 
season was i)oor, owing to stormy weather. 

The herring of southeast Alaska are small, but in season are rich in oil and of 
delicious flavor. They are found in many localities running in immense schools, some 
years in smaller numbers, in fact almost disappearing where formerly they "were 
abundant, and ai)pearing in localities not visited before, only to return after several 
years to their former feeding-grounds. As herring are food for other fishes, and as it 
is said of these fish that they are found where the bait is, so it may be said that herring 
go with llieir bait, which is said to be a small crustacean occurring in some places in 
myriads. 

In April the herring come to the shores in countless numbers to spawn, deposit- 
ing their eggs in the sea grass, rockweed, and on the bushes hanging in the water. At 
this time the Indians plant hemlock twigs at the low- water mark, where they become 
covered with spawn, after which they are gathered in canoe loads. The spawn is 
heaped upon the twigs, to which it adheres in grapelike clusters, which are sometimes 
called "Alaska grapes," and is consumed by the natives in large quantities, either 
fresh or dried, and cooked as occasion demands, and for winter use. Usually it is 
eaten with rancid oil, which is the sauce that goes with all their delicacies, even with 
berries. 

For many years the inlet at Kootznahoo has been the favorite resort for herring, 
though lately they seem less abundant. They are found in great numbers on the 
northern shore of Kuiu Island and at times many are taken in the vicinity of Juneau. 
The steamer Dolphin cruises through all the interior waters and makes a catch wherever 
heriing are found. Cetaceans, halibut, king salmon, and other fish follow the schools 
and consume immense numbers. 

The Indians use the herring only during the time they are present in their waters, 
curing noue for winter food. In catching them for their own use a long stick or pole 
having at the end, and for some distance from it, a large number of sharp-pointed 
nails, is swept through the water, with a paddle like motion, like a rake, impaling the 
fish on the nails. At the end of the movement the pole is brought over the canoe, 
given a shake which detaches the fish, and then thrust into the water again. In this 
manner a canoe load is quickly made. 



124 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The following is the output of the coinp:iny since its first operations at Killisnoo: 



Tear. 


Oil. 


Guano.' 


Herring. 


Tear. 


Oil. 


Guano. 


Her- 
ring. 


Salted. 


Herring. 


Salmon. 


Salmon 
bellies. 


1882 

1883 

1R84 

1885 

1886 

1887 

1888 

1889 


Gallons. 
30, 000 
81, 0(10 
192, 000 
300, 000 
3fi8. 000 
335, 000 
100, 000 
157, 900 


Toim. 

None. 

None. 

600 

No record. 

No record. 

No record. 

No record. 

None. 


Barrels. 
No record. 
42, 000 
66, 000 
85, 000 
110, 000 
111,000 
30. 000 
52,460 


1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 


Gallons. 
156, 750 
242.050 
318, 9U0 
223, 450 
234, 350 
101, 030 
90, 650 
125,000 


Tons. 
None. 

800 
700 
900 
800 
600 
550 
780 


Bbls. 
52,425 
88,222 


Balfbbls. 


Barrels. 


nalfbbU. 








1 




72,250 
76, 530 
32, 550 
27.750 
35, 600 






1,000 
500 
250 
950 




t50 


25 
105 


150 
275 



ade depends upon the demand ; some years there 'was no market for guano. 



The following shows the output of salted salmon for 1897 : 



Species. 


Number 
offish. 


Average 
weighi. 


Price paid for flsb. 


Product. 


Price received. 


King Balmon... 

Eedfish 

Cohoes 

HurapbacliS ... 


350 

6, 0(10 
2,500 
22, 000 


Pounds. 
16 

10 
H 


1 cent per pound, 
live weight. 

5 cents eacli 

1 cent per pound 

1 cent per fish 




.$10.50 per barrel. 

$6 per half-barrel. 

$8 per barrel. 

$5 per half-barrel. 


75 half-barrels of bellies . . 


200 half-barrels of bellies. - 



The redflsh and humpbacks salted here are purchased from Indians, who take 
them with seines in the small streams in the vicinity, the ledlish from the middle of 
June to the beginning of August, and the humpbacks from July 15 to August 15. 
The king salmon and cohoes are taken entirely by trolling. An ordinary salmon hook, 
baited with fre.sh herring placed lengthwise over the hook, is' used. The best results 
are obtained near the schools of herring. The king salmon seem to follow and feed 
upon them, and can be taken at all times when the herring are in, but they are more 
abundant in certain months. In April and ^lay they are plentiful enough for local 
consumption. Salting is commenced in June, and coutiniu'd throughout July and 
August, or until the herring run in such large numbers that all the force must be 
employed in making guano and oil. The king salmon, however, continue abundant 
and are taken, though in diminishing numbers, until January. There is no record of 
the capture of any in February, but several have been caught in March, and they can 
probably be taken every month in the year; but in the late winter, when everything is 
covered with snow and ice, no attemiit is made to catch fish in any way. All king 
salmon taken here are in prime condition. A number seen on Sei)tember 20 appeared 
as though fresh from the sea. The spawn was not advanced toward ripening, and the 
stomachs were full of herring. It is said that on the herring ground on the northern 
side of Kuiu Island, when the steamer is lying to, waiting for the fish to school, 
king salmon are captured at times in considerable numbers on an ordinary hand line 
baited with herring. In October, from the wharf at Killisnoo, king salmon from 10 
to 12 inches long are frequently taken with hand lines (without sinkers) baited with 
herring. In Florence Bay, inside of Point Hayes, on the opposite shore, the Indians 
take large numbers of small king salmon on hand lines during the fall of the year. 

Cohoes are also taken on trolls, bat the season is short, usually from July 1.5 and 
throughout August. 

(Codfish are found in the vi(Mnity of Killisnoo, but not in paying numbers. The 
company has sometimes salted 50 barrels a year, from the hitter part of May to the 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 125 

15th of August. Several years ago preparatious were made to take codfish on a large 
scale, but the veuture was uuprofttable. It is believed that with a large eciuipineut, 
and fishing over a wide area, 50 tons might be taken in a season. 

Only very general information could lie obtained at Killisnoo in reference to the 
salmon streams in the vicinity, and an investigation of the localities will be necessary 
to determine their imi)ortance. 

BARTLKTT BAY. 

This is an arm of Glacier Bay, on Icy Straits. In 1800 a cannery was built on the 
bay by the Bartlett Bay Packing Company, and operated by Williams, Brown & Co., 
of San Francisco. A saltery was conducted here prior to that date, and in 1SS9 a 
pack of 4,300 cases was made in a crude waj'. Cans were carried to the locality, 
cookers improvised, and the pack was made by hand. In 1890 the cannery was budt, 
and a pack made that and the following year, but none subsequently. The cannery 
entered the pool of the Alaska Packing Association of 1892, and was one of the can- 
neries of the Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. In 1891 it was dismantled, the 
buildings were pulled down, and the place abandoned. 



A loug narrow peninsula projects into the head of Lyun Canal, forming two bays 
or inlets. The eastern one, called Chilkoot Inlet, again divides, the western arm 
receiving Chilkoot River; the eastern arm continues about 10 miles farther to the 
northward under the name of Taiya Inlet, and has at its head the villages of Dyea and 
Skagway. The western arm, or bay, of Lynn Canal, called Chilkat Inlet, receives the 
waters of the Chilkat about 9 miles from Seduction Point (the end of the peninsula). 

In 1880, when it appeared that the salmon of the Columbia were becoming scarcer, 
with no adequate steps to restock the river, Mr. M. J. Kinney, then and now one of 
the large packers on the Columbia, started incjuiries elsewhere with reference to future 
business. In 1882 he had the Chilkat territory prospected for tish, built a hut at 
Pyramid Harbor, and in 1883 he erected a cannery, under the name of the Chilkat 
Packing Company, on the eastern shore of the inlet, about a mile below the site now 
occupied by the cannery of the Chilkat Canning Company. A pack was made that 
year. The cannery changed hands several times, and finally was burned in 1892, and 
not rebuilt. The site is now owned by the Alaska Packers' Association. The cannery 
packed every year from 1883 to 1891, both inclusive, except in 1888, when it was closed. 

A cannery known as the Chilkat Canning Company was built in 1889 by Messrs. 
Hugh Murray and David Morgan at Chilkat Village, on the eastern side of the inlet, 
and inside of Pyramid Island. It was operated from 1889 to 1893, and then sold to 
the Alaska Packers' Association and closed. It has not been operated since 1893, but 
is held as a reserve by the association. It has a capacity of about 800 cases a day. 

PYRAMID HABBOK. 

Pyramid Harbor is on the western side of Chilkat Inlet, IJ miles south of Pyra- 
mid Island, and consists of a small cove in which two or three vessels may find 
anchorage. The cannery of the Pyramid Harbor Packing Company is on the south- 
ern shore of the cove. It was built in 1883 by the Northwest Trading Com{)any, at 
the time that company was established at Killisnoo, and operated in 1883 and 1884. 
It was idle in 1885, and in 1888 was sold to D. L. Beck & Sons, of San Francisco, and 



126 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



operated by that firm. In the spring of 1889 it was burned, but was rebuilt at once 
and a pack was made that year. In 1802 the cannery was a member of the Alaska 
Packing Association, operated that year, and in 1893 it joined the Alaska Packers' 
Association. It was afterwards enlarged, utilizing some of the machinery of the 
Bartlett Bay cannery. It is the only cannery that has made a pack in this vicinity 
since 1893. It has a capacity of 1,000 eases a day. 

In 1806 14 whites and 87 Chinese were employed in the cannery. The company 
employed 60 white fishermen, and received fish from about 200 natives. The cannery 
fishermen used 12 gill nets, each 200 fathoms long by 16 feet deep, Si-inch mesh, 
valued at 65 cents per fathom, for king salmon, and 40 gill nets, each 300 fathoms 
long by 10 feet deep, 6iinch mesh, valued at 65 cents per fathom, for redfish. The 
steamer Elsie, of 38 tons, with a crew of 5, and valued at $10,000, and the steamer 
Lillian, of 20 tons, with a crew of 4, valued at $8,800, were employed. The chartered 
ship Inrinciblc, of 1,394 net tons, with a crew of fishermen, was used for transporting. 
Four lighters valued at $50 each, 48 Columbia river boats valued at $200 each, and 
several skitt's were also used. 

The following table gives the statistics for 1896 and 1897, so far as obtainable: 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. 


Cases 
packed. 


Average 
number 
per case. 


Dates. 


No. of 
fish. 


Cases 
paclted. 


Average 

number Bates, 
per case. 




44,044 

612 

2,800 


10.3 
7.5 
3.1 


Jnne25to Sept. 12 

Aug. 28 to Sept. 12 

May 25 to June 25 .... 


321, 517 
11, 123 
14,796 


31, 241 
1,489 
4,727 


10.3 June 25 to Sept. 13 
7. 5 Aug. 29 to Sept. 13 
3. 1 May 28 to June 28 




King salmon 



In 1897 the same equipment was used. At the beginning of the season the same 
number of white fishermen was employed, and the fish were received from about 300 
natives. After the gold excitement reached Pyramid Harbor many wliite fishermen 
left for the Klondike and many Indians left to freight across the passes. 

The Chinese contract price was 40 cents per case. The fish obtained for this 
cannery, as well as for those others that had previously operated here, all came from 
the Taku, Chilkat, and Cliilkoot rivers. 



TAKU RIVER. 

The Taku Eiver is one of the largest of southeast Alaska, and emiities into the 
inlet of the same name about 12 miles southeast of Juneau. King salmon, redfish, 
and cohoes run in the river, but on account of the wide expanse of the mouth, and the 
ice in the inlet, which is discharged constantly from the adjacent glacier, fishing 
can not be carried on profitably. The river is said to be navigable for canoes for a 
distance of 50 miles. It has a strong current and many tributaries, some of which 
are said to be lake outlets. As soon as the ice breaks up in tlie river (usually about 
May 25) the fishing for king salmon commences, and all that are packed at Pyramid 
Harbor are taken in the Taku, except a few stragglers that appear around the Chilkat 
very early in the season, which can hardly be called a run. The cannery usually 
expects to pack about 3,500 cases. These fish are all taken with drifting gill nets by 
white fishing crews. About 15 per cent of the king salmon are white iiieated. The 
largest ever taken weighed 78 jjounds. I^o other species are fished for in the Taku. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 127 

As soou as the redfisb commeuce to run (usually about Juue 25), the king-salmon 
fishing ceases and the gear for redtish is put out, not because the king salmon stop 
running at that time, but because the redtish are more ])rotitable. 

CHILKAT RIVER. 

The Chilkat lliver comes after the Stikine, Taku, and Unuk in size. It empties 
into the head of Chilkat Inlet over the extensive McOlellan Flats. Canoes go some 
distance above Klukwan, the largest and ])rinci])al Chilkat village. The Chilkat, 
while draining an extensive glacial region, has no tide-water glaciers around its 
mouth, and therefore is not obstructed by ice during the summer. The lower river 
valley is large and wide, but the water at ordinary stages is confined to a few 
channels, which flow around sand banks and marshy and wooded islands. The river 
proper has its source in the high ranges to the northwestward, near the headwaters 
of the Alsek. At Klukwan, about 20 miles above its mouth, the Chilkat receives as 
a tributary the water of the Tsirku, an outlet to Chilkat Lake. The lake is o miles 
long, and its greatest width is 1 mile. Its feeders are said to be spawning-beds for 
large numbers of redflsh. 

Most of the redflsh are taken by the cannery fishermen with drift gill nets. 
Columbia river boats are used, each manned by two white men, or one white man and 
one native. The fishing is carried on in Chilkat Inlet between Glacier Point and 
McClellan Flats, a range of about 7 miles. The average catcli for the season by the 
cannery fishermen during the past four years has been 300,000 redflsh. The flsli- 
ermen receive $100 for working the ship to Alaska and return to San Francisco, and 
3 cents is paid the boat outfit for each king salmon, redflsh, or coho taken; the men 
are boarded by the cannery. The cannery, besides obtaining fish from this source 
under its own supervision, purchases fish from the Chilkat and Chilkoot Indians. 

The Indians fish from canoes moored to posts, or from platforms built over the 
streams. They use a large gaff (common among all Alaska Indians), consisting of 
an nnbarbed hook about 1 inches across the bend, secured to a pole 10 or 12 feet long. 
This is thrust into the water, and when the Indian feels or sees a flsh, he impales it 
and drags it ashore. When fish are plentiful the hook is simply dragged through 
the water. A large uuinber of the fish from the Chilkoot are taken in this way. 

CHILKOOT RIVER. 

Chilkoot Eiver empties into the head of Chilkoot Inlet and is the outlet of 
Chilkoot Lake. It is about li miles long in a general northwest-aud-southeast 
direction, and is one of tlie smaller streams of Alaska, but has a large run of redflsh. 
The lake is about 2i miles long and 1 mile wide, and is fed by glacial streams. More 
redfish are taken at Chilkoot than at Chilkat, as the fish are confined to a single broad 
channel and are more easily captured. The Chilkoot may be classed with streams 
like Hetta, Karta Bay, and Naha Bay. In 1890 tlie run of flsh in this stream was so 
large that the cannery was obliged to limit the number purchased of each Indian 
fisherman to 100 per day. 

The Chilkoot Indians supplied the Pyramid Harbor Cannery in 1894: with 62,284 
redfish; in 1895 with 68,000; in 1896 with 159,000; and in 1897 with 48,000. The 
Chilkat Indians furnished 30,872 in 1897, this being the first year since 1893 that they 
supi)lied any fish. Four years ago they demanded 10 cents a fish, and as the cannery 



128 BULLETIN OF THE rMTEI) STATES PISH COMMISSION. 

refused to i^ay this amount, tbe Indians declined to t'liruish any flsli. In 18'J7 a com- 
promise was effected, the cannery steamer calling at the mouth of the Chilkoot and 
paying C cents a fish. The Chilkats deliver at the cannery and receive 8 cents a fish. 

The small number taken in IS'.tT is due to the Klondike excitement. Most of tlie 
Indians stopped fishing and went to Dyea and Skagway to freight over the passes. 
About half of the white fishermen also left for the gold fields. 

From the large number of redfish taken in Chilkat Inlet it is probable that the 
river is a very prolific redfish stream, but it is so broken in its course that fishing is 
very diliicult. The earliest fish are a few king salmon, followed, tlie latter part of 
June, by the redfish, which continue running until late in September, when the dog 
salmon come in so thick and the redfish decrease to such an extent that it is barely 
profitable to take them. The humpbacks also run in large numbers in September. 
The Chilkat redfish are regarded by packers as the choicest in Alaska. 

The run in the Chilkoot begins a little later than in the Chilkat. The redfish in 
both streams are about the same average weight and size, but fishermen claim that 
they cau recognize a difference in shape, and it is stated that a Chilkoot fish is very 
rarely found on the Chilkat side of the i)euinsula, and vice versa. 

Seines have been tried unsuccessfully, probably because there are no good 
seining beaches. 

A sturgeon was taken in the Taku in 1896 weighing 13 pounds, and one in the 
Chilkat the same year of similar weight. No steelheads have been noticed, but Dolly 
Varden trout are numerous during the season. 

It was learned from white people in the vicinity that the Indians also use nets in 
both rivers, blocking all the channels and entering streams, in all directions, to make 
the catch, and that they fish on the spawning-grounds. It was also reported that not 
only is Lake Chilkoot fished, but the spawning stream as well, and that traps have 
been placed in the lake under the guidance of an expert. The gill-net fishermen are 
reported not to observe the weekly close season. 

With the Cliilkat region the examiTiations conducted in 1897 by the Albatross in 
southeast Alaska were finished. They include all the canneries and a number of the 
fisheries, but there are still a large number of streams to be examined in the future. 
There are said to be redfish streams entering Swanson Harbor, Bartlett, Dundas, and 
Taylor bays, Idaho Inlet, and Port Althorp. Probably none of these streams contain 
many redfish, otherwise the cannery at Bartlett Bay would not have been abandoned. 
At Port Althorp there was a saltery operated by Ford & Stokes, now said to be 
abandoned. At the southern entrance to Cross Sound is Yakobi Island, separated 
fi-om Chichagof Island by Lisianski Strait. Surge Bay makes in to Yakobi Island 
on the western shore, and has a stream fished some years by the Kedtish Bay cannery, 
from which as many as 10,000 redfish have been taken. South of Point Urey is a 
large sound or strait, with numerous arms, bordered by islands, rocks, and reefs, on 
the ocean side of Chichagof Island. On this sound are Stranger Eiver, O'Hara Bay, 
Olsen Bay, and Smith Bay, having redfish and coho streams, and fished at times by 
the Kedtish Bay cannery. 



ull. U. S F. C, 1898 (To face page 128.) 



Plate 49. 



a** 



.•** 




TUE S.VLMON AND SALMON FISHERIES UF ALASKA. 129 



PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AND COPPER RIVER REGION. 

After leaving Ohilkiit there are no canneries until Prince William Sound is reached, 
or, as the locality is sometimes called, the Copper Eiver Delta. As plenty of capital is 
ready to be })laced ia canueries, this long stretch has i)robably been well investigated. 
The absence of canueries would seem to imply the absence of fish, but the inaccessi- 
bility of the region probably accounts for the slight development of its fishery resources. 

The district has contributed (J. 6 per cent of the cannery output of Alaska, since 
1889. Its share in 1897 was 5.7 per cent. 

The ^IZiairo.v.s- called at Yakutat to make inquiries relating to the fisheries, but 
little information could be obtained. This village contains about 300 Indian inhabitants, 
and lies on the seaward slope of the great Fairweather Ifange and the St. Elias Alps. 
The Indians obtain all their lish supply here, from a few small streams in the vicinity. 
They speak in glowing terms of the abundance of lish, but without any concieption as 
to the numbers necessary for commercial purposes. There are sevei'al glacial streams 
emptying into Yakutat Bay, and all are said to carry king salmon. The fisheries are, 
however, entirely undeveloped, and it would take at least a season's work to make 
even a partial examination of the waters. 

About <!0 miles east of Yakutat the Alsek River empties through a delta into 
Dry Bay. According to the Indians, this river carries a large number of king salmon, 
redfish, and cohoes. Between the Alsek and Yakutat four smaller rivers empty into 
lagoons or inside channel- ways which communicate with the sea through shallow 
channels, and all are said to contain many salmon in season. It is said that a canoe 
can be carried through these inside channels from Yakutat to the mouth of the Alsek, 
but there is no entrance seaward for a vessel. The combined catch of these rivers 
would perhaps be safQcient to supply a cannery, but their inaccessibility is an obstacle 
to success. 

Little is known of the fishing resources from Yakutat to Cape Suckling. Several 
streams flow into the sea along this line of coast, but they are probably inaccessible. 
In 1889, when twenty additional canneries were built in Alaska, four were located in 
the vicinity of the Copper River Delta, but only two are now in operation. 

LITTLE KAYAK ISLAND. 

In 1889 a company known as the Central Alaska Company built a cannery on 
Wingham or Little Kayak Island (also known as Mitchell Island), about 15 miles west 
from Cape Suckling. The cannery made a pack of 1,600 cases that year, and the 
following spring it was moved to Thin Point, on the southern side of Alaska Penin- 
sula. It operated during 1890 and 1891, and was absorbed by the Alaska Packing 
Association of 1892 and closed, and in 1893 it joined the Alaska Packers' Association, 
but was no longer operated. In 1895 the available machinery was moved to Koggiung, 
on the Kvichak River, in Bering Sea, and utilized as a part of the plant of the Point 
Roberts Packing Com[)any. 

The Peninsula Trading and Fishing Company built a cannery on Little Kayak 
Island in 1889 and packed U,olO cases that year, and 11,200 cases in 1890. In the 
fall of 1890 and spring of 1891 it was moved to one of the sloughs of the Co^jper 

!•'. C. 15., 1898—9 



130 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Eiver Delta, known as Co(|ueiilicua, and operated under its former name, making a 
pack in 1891. It joined the Alaska Packing Association in 189;i and was closed, but 
for some reason it did not join the Alaska Packers' Association of 18!)3. Since 1893 
it has been operated by the Pacific Steam Whaling Company. A change in the 
channel of the slough has made it difficult of access, and the cannery was closed in 
1897. The machinery has been removed, and it is said that such as is available will 
be installed iu the new caunery built in 1897 at Keuai, Cook Inlet. It had a caiiacity 
of about 1,200 cases a day. 

The Peninsula Trading and Fishing Company employed 40 white fishermen, 
20 white cannery-hands, and 60 Chinese in 189C. Ten gill nets were used, each 100 
fathoms long by 24 meshes deep, for king salmon, and 20 gill nets, each 200 fathoms 
long by 30 meshes deep, for redtish — all valued at $1 per fathom. The vessels 
employed by the company were the stern-wheel steamer Thlinket, of 30 tons, with a 
crew of 5, and valued at $10,000, and the launch Beaver, of 5 tons, with a crew of 3, 
aud valued at $4,000. The ship America, attached to the Orca cannery, was used in 
transportation. Two lighters, valued at $200 each, and 20 Columbia Kiver boats, 
valued at $200 each, were also operated. 

The pack of 189G was 20,558 cases of redflsh, 10 to the case, from May 20 to July 
25, and 114 cases of king salmou, 2.5 to the case, from May 20 to June 1. 

ODIAK. 

In 1889 Messrs. Louis Sloss & Co., of San Francisco, built a cannery under the 
title of Pacific Packing Company, at the extreme eastern end of Prince William 
Sound, on the mainland east of Hawkins Island aud on the uorthern side of a mud 
slough separated from Lake Eyak by a narrow neck of land, about three-fourths of a 
mile wide, and now called Odiak. This cannery has been operated every year 
since except 1892, when it joined the Alaska Packing Association and was closed. In 
1893 it entered the Alaska Packers' Association, and is now operated by that organi- 
zation. It has a capacity of about 1,500 cases a day. 

In 1897 the Pacific Packing Company employed 04 whites as fishermen, and 7 
whites aud 6G Chinese in the cannery. The nets used comprised 32 sets of gill nets, 
450 fathoms per set, wortli $1 per fathom — 9i-inch mesh for king salmon, 6|-inch mesh 
for cohoes, and OJ-inch for redflsh. The vessels and boats employed were the screw 
steamer I'acific, 32 tons, crew 6, valued at $14,000; the stern -wheel steamer 8. B. 
Mathews, 165 tons, crew 6, valued at $14,000; the stern-wheel steamer Susannah, 18 
tons, crew 6, valued at $9,000; one lighter worth $250; 32 Columbia River boats 
worth $200 each, and 2 seine boats valued at $100 each. Tlie ship Centennial, 1,139 
tons register, worth $20,000, served as a transport, with a crew of fishermen. 

The 1896 statistics for equipment were practically the same as for 1897, except 
that the chartered bark Gatherer, 1,377 tons, was used as a transport. 

The following gives the statistics of the output of the Pacific Packing Company 
for 1896 and 1897 : 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. 


Total 
number 
offish. 


Dates. 


n„„Hs No. of 

pacTed. fl^I; P«'- 


Total 
number 
of ash. 


Dates. 


Cases 
packed. 


No. of 
flsh per 


Redfish 

Cohoes 

Humpbacks .. 
King salmon.. 


282, 138 

1,953 

217, 120 

817 


May 10 to Aug. 30 .... 


29, 500 

• 217 

9,910 

216 


9.6 
9. 
22. 
3.8 


170, 116 


May 6 to Aug. 10.... 


13, 315 


1 
12.7 


July 8 to Aug. 24 

May 6 to June M 


239, 430 
995 


July 5 to Au;;. 8 

May 6 to June 13 


9,784 
202 


24.5 
4.8 



, U. S. F. C 189S. vTo (ace page 130,1 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



131 



The diftereiice in tlie average miuiber of fl.sh tx) the case for tlie two years is due 
to waste. The imiuber of fish received is the caiiuery count, and in the case of red- 
lish, in 1897, a large number was rejected, and i)robabIy the same was the case with 
the humpbaclis in 1896. When the pack of a species is small, the number consumed 
by the cannery-hands and salted, though counted as part of the catch, makes a large 
difference in the number to the case. 



The Pacific Steam Whaling Company in 1889 built a cannery on the southern 
side of the same mud slough on which the Pacific Packing (Jonipany located at Odiak, 
and nearly opposite the latter company's establishment. In the spring of 1895 it 
was moved to a more salubrious site on the mainland, now known as Orca, east-south- 
east from the northern point of Hawkins Island, and about 4 miles north of its former 
location. This cannery has been operated every year except 1892, when it entered 
the pool of the Alaska Packing Association and was closed. It did not join the 
Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. It has a capacity of about 1,500 cases a day. 
In 1896, 60 white fishermen were employed, and 25 whites and 05 Chinese in the can- 
nery. The Chinese contract was 42 cents per case, and in addition the tester received 
$40 a month and the boss $50 a month. Thirty sets of gill nets were used, 350 fathoms 
to the set, valued at SI per fathom; mesh, 9i-inch for king salmon, O.J-inch for cohoes, 
and OJ inch for redfish. Three seines, each 150 fathoms long, valued at $1 per fathonj, 
were also used. 

The company, in 1897, employed 86 white fishermen and 17 whites (including 
a doctor), 6 natives, and 81 Chinese in the cannery. The fishermen used 43 sets of 
gill nets, 450 fathoms per set, 9i-inch mesh for king salmon, 6.J inch for cohoes, and 
e^-inch for redfish, all valued at SI per fathom. 

Three steamers were employed in 1897, the Wolcott, 199 tons net, crew 9, value 
§25,000; and the Wildcat and Thlinket, both stern-wheel, 50 tons each, crew 5 each, 
and valued at $10,000 each. The ship America, 1,909 net tons, with a crew of fisher- 
men, was chartered. Two lighters valued at $250 each, 43 Columbia River boats at 
S200 each, and 3 seine boats at $100 each were also used. The er^uipmeut statistics 
were about the same in 1896 as for 1897, but only 30 Columbia Kiver boats were used 
in 1890 instead of 43, and the steamer Thlinket was used by the Peninsula Trading 
and Fishing Company, and the Wolcott had not been purchased. 

The following table gives the statistics of the pack of the Pacific Steam Whaling 
Company at Orca for 1896 and 1897 : 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. 


No. of 

fiah. 


1 No. of 

Dates. canes 

packed. 


Xo. of 

flsb per 

case. 


No. of 
fish. 


Dates. 


No. of 
cases 
packed. 


No. of 
fish per 
case. 


RedSsh 

Coboes 

Humpbacks.. 


222, 157 
29,909 

9i,oeo 


Maj-15 to July 31... 23,445 
Aug. 13 to Sept. 14.. 4,021 


9.5 
7.5 
18.7 


201,371 
25,605 
62,860 


May 13 to July 31 

Aug. 14 to Sept. 12 

July9 to Aug. 5 


21. 197 
3,414 
3,415 


9.5 
7.5 
18.7 





A few king salmon were taken each year, bat these were packed with the redfish. 
In 1890, 285 cases of redfish were i)acked in May, 13,785 in June, and the remainder 
in July. In 1897, 3,000 ca.ses of redfish were packed in May, 14,486 cases in June, 
and the remainder in July. The cohoes are packed up to the closing of the cannery, 
and run much later, though not in paying (quantities. 



132 HULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

In IS'JU, 3,000 cases of redtish were taken in seines in Prince William Sonnd and 
the remainder in gill nets from tbe Copper Eiver Delta. Of the cohoes, half were 
taken in seines and half in gill nets. 

The Indians say that after the cannery closes there are plenty of llsh. 

The terms of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company with their fishermen are as 
follows: Of the number emiiloyed, 20 are paid S40 each for taking the vessel with the 
outfit from San Francisco to the cannery, and bacli in the fall with the pack. From 
the beginning ot the fisiiing season until it closes, each fisherman receives $15 per 
month and board, and the cannery pays to each boat outfit (2 men) 3 cents each for 
redflsh and cohoes, 10 cents for king salmon, and $5 per 1,000 for humpbacks. 

Fishermen to make good wages should take 10,000 fish to a boat (2 men) during a 
season, and this catch was formerly quite fre(juent, but large catches are very rare 
now, and there is much complaint among the fishermen. In 1890, with 150 fathoms of 
web they could average from 7,000 to 8,000 fish to a boat, and now with 450 fathoms 
of web they barely average half that number. 

As these two canneries at Orca and Odiak were built the same year, have 
operated during the same periods, and fish over the same localities, tlie remarks in 
reference to tbe fishing are applicable to both. The fish are taken in two entirely 
difl'erent sections, differing but little in distance, yet widely in their runs and fishing 
methods. The canneries are located on the dividing line separating the two sections 
and are accessible to both. Rounding Cape Whiteshed to the eastward extends the 
Copper River delta, which is the gill-net fishing-ground, similar to the fishing in the 
large rivers of Bering Sea, while to the westward extends Prince William Sound 
which represents the drag-seine fishing, a counterpart of southeast Alaska, with its 
many small streams, each aftbrding a few fish. 

In 1889 tbe two canneries on Little Kayak Island drew their fish from the Coj»ijer 
River delta and tbe rivers in the vicinity of Little Kayak. In 1890, after the removal 
of tbe Central Alaska Company to Thin Point, the Peninsular Trading and Fishing 
Company made its pack from the same source. After its removal to Coqueuhena, 
and until dismantled in 1897, its fish supply came from tbe Copper River delta. 

The first pack, about 20,000 cases in 1SS9, was made by the two canneries at 
Odiak almost entirely from the lake and river at Eyak. In 1890 the fish were 
obtained from Eyak Lake and River, Mountain Slough, a branch of tbe latter, Glacier 
River, and Algonek Slough in the delta, and from Miner's River and Cheniga in Prince 
William Sound. As fish became scarce, fishing operations were extended as far east- 
ward as Chilkhat River (not to be confounded with tbe Chilkat River at the head of 
Lynn Canal) a distance of about 75 miles by steamer; to the westward all tbe streams 
in Prince William Sound wei'e reached, a run for the steamers of from 85 to 90 miles. 
Tbe main source of supply, however, now comes Irom tbe Copper River delta, which 
includes Eyak River on the west and Cbilkhat River on tbe east, though neither takes 
its source from the Copper River. . 

The great fiats that make otishore between Point Steel and Kayak Island have 
no doubt been formed by the detritus from the Copper River, and are usually spoken 
of as its delta. 

The first stream along the shore eastward from tbe canneries is Mountain Slough, 
an outlet or slough of Eyak River, having its mouth in the corner of tbe bight formed 
by tbe headland, of which Cape Whiteshed is the terminal point, and tbe mainland 
extending to tbe westward from Copper River. About a mile to tbe eastward is the 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



133 



mouth of Eyak Itiver, the main outlet to the hike; 5i miles farther e.ast is Glacier 
River, aud the same distance beyond is Al.afonek Slough, the first or western slough 
of Copper River. After that come Pete Dahl Slough, Big River, Coquenheua, Cot- 
tonwood, Point, Little River, Gus Wilson Slongh, and Marteu River, all sloughs of 




Sea/f:SAr.at///e-a/ /yf'/'Ts 



p^ff X* <-///</ 



Sketih of Vicinity of Orca aiirl Odiak. 

Copper River. The distance from Glacier River to Marteu River is about 40 miles by 
steamer. About 15 miles to the eastward of Marten River is Chilkhat River, which is 
an outlet to two or more lakes and is the easternmost stream now fished by the 
canneries. 

COPPER KIVER. 

Copper River, about 20 miles from the marshes forming the coast line, breaks into 
a delta and discharges its waters through numerous sloughs, the principal ones being 
those just mentioned. The tide ebbs and flows for a long distance through the 
sloughs, and they not only receive the river and tidal waters, but in addition those 
sloughs bordering the highlands and mountains receive the discharges from small 
lake outlets and glacial streams. It is probable that few except king salmon ascend 
a great distance up Cop])er River proper, finding their spawning-beds in the lower 
tributaries. Bordering the delta, and as far as Point Steel on the west and Kayak on 



134 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES B'ISH COMMISSION. 



the east, are great sand aud mud Hats extending from 3 to 6 and more miles from 
the sliore and inarshes. Most of these Hats are dry at low water, but they liave 
channel-ways througli them seaward from the larger sloughs, and shallow channels 
and pools between them which admit the passage of light draft stern- wheel steamers. 
It is probable that Copper Eiver originally discharged into a large irregular bay, whicli 
gradually filled and formed the present delta, and the Hats outside are merely the 
foundations for its farther expansion seaward. 

The conditions here admit gill-net fishing only, which is done by drifting with 
Columbia Kiver boats, 2 men and 450 fathoms of web constituting an outfit. There 
are stations or bunk-houses at dift'erent points within tlie sloughs, where the fishermen 
live and from which the catch is taken to the canneries by the small stern-wheel 
steamers calling for them. These steamers, of which there are two at each cannery, 
have a draft of 24 inches and navigate the shallow waters of the delta. At low water 
they are frequently aground. 

The king salmon packed at the canneries are obtained in the delta, and commence 
to run about May 0; scattering ones are taken all summer. While this pack has 
never been very large, the catch has decreased rapidly during the past few years, 
and to such an extent that in 1896 some of the interior Indians were reported to be 
on the verge of starvation on account of this scarcity of king salmon, which forms a 
large item of their food. In 1897 there was great rejoicing among the Stick Indians 
when they heard that the cannery at Coquenhena would not be operated. It seems 
hardly pi'obable, in a locality where the natural conditions permit only fishing by gill 
nets, that the fishermen should have caused this decrease, yet it is said that the nets 
are placed at such short intervals that they lie almost back to back and side by side. 

The following catches of king salmon, from the books of the Pacific Steam 
Whaling Company, show the number taken per year by cue cannery: 



Tear. 


Dates. 


Number. 


Year. 


Dates. 


Number. 




May 5 to Jnne 30 

Apr. 27 to June 30 


5,491 
6,185 




May 11 to Jnne 30 

May 8 to Jnne 29 

Sr.ij- 15 to June 30 

May 10 to June 30 


4,494 

5,929 

590 

1,049 






1892 


1890 




May 2 to June 30 


8,674 









The mud slough on which both canneries were originally located is less than half 
a mile in length and inaccessible at low water. During the packing season, when 
the mud banks are covered with salmon oftal and refuse, they become very foul, and 
were it not for the myriads of gulls which act as scavengers, it is difficult to see how 
any one could live in the locality. 

Three-fourths of a mile distant from the cannery at Odiak, in a general northeast 
direction over a low neck of laud, is the head of the southwest arm of Lake Eyak. A 
tramway from the cannery extends to this point and terminates on a small wharf on 
the lake shore. The lake is T-shaped; that is, there are three arms, each widening 
toward the junction and extending in northwest, southwest, and southeast directions 
respectively. These arms are about 2i miles long with an extreme width of about 
a mile, with the main body or junction much enlarged. The shore line is rocky, the 
banks are heavily wooded, and in places are high and steep where they run directly 
into the mountain masses. There are many places which are quite shallow, rocky 
in some instances, and with gravel and sand bottom in others. The surface of the 
lake is on a level with the highest tide; indeed, tide water sometimes biicks into the 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



135 



lake. It is fed by a numbei- of cascades and streamlets, with one large, rapid stream 
discliarging through a delta at the head of the northwest arm, and a small stream, 
which during the dry season loses itself through the marsh and gravel, on the north- 
east side of the lake directly opposite the southwest arm. At the western side of the 
southeast arm is the lake outlet. It flows in a general south and southeast directi(m 
for a distance of from 5 to 6 miles, with a width of 200 feet, emptying into the sea on 
the western side of the delta of Copper River. 

The banks of the outlet (Eyak River) are generally rocky, with projecting, wooded 
ridges, though in places they are of clay, and grassy. The current at low water is 
strong, but at higli water slack, and at the highest tides it is an inflowing stream. 

About 3 miles from the 
lake the river receives 
from the eastward the 
whitish waters of a glacial 
stream of considerable 
size, and below this point 
a slough, before referred to 
as Mountain Slough, opens 
from the main river and 
carries some of the water 
in its own channel, dis- 
charging about a mile to 
the westward of the river. 
For several years 
Eyak River and Lake 
formed a highway for 
lighters and the smaller 
vessels engaged in trans- 
porting flsh from the delta. 
They were carried direct 
to the wharf at the head 
of the southwest iirm, and 
thence shipped by tram to 
the cannery. It was found 
more economical, however, 
to run the steamers around Cape Whiteshed, direct to the canneries, and no fish, 
except those carried by small boats, are now transported by way of Eyak Lake and 
River. The newer stern- wheel steamers have been built much larger, and it would be 
hazardous to use them on the former route. 

The large entering stream at the head of the northwest arm of the lake discharges 
its whitish snow, or glacial waters, into the lake through a delta in which the larger 
streams are from 25 to 35 feet wide, and several feet deep, flowing with a rapid current 
over sandy and pebbly beds; the banks are pebbly, bare in some places, covered with 
grass in others, and the growth of trees and shrubs increases as the streams are 
ascended. It seems an ideal spawninggTound, vast in extent, and with abundance 
of water, yet very few salmon wore seen. The party, perhajis, did not ascend high 
enough to find the actual spawning-beds, but in any event there should have been 
large numbers of dead flsh encountered; not above a dozen, however, were seen, 
only enough to show that they do go there. Possibly the water is too cold, yet the 




/ Uai///c-a/ M//f 



Sketch of Lake Eyak. 



I3n 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



few tisb seen would indicate tbat it is not, and this scarcity of salmon may he owing 
to tlie wanton fishing of the lake. On the northeast shore is a small stream which, 
during the time of our visit, had no flow of surface water; large jjooIs stood in the 
gravelly bed. Around the mouth a few dead fish were seen; in fact, the lake nowhere 
showed an abundance of salmon. 

On the western bank of the southeast arm of the lake, near the outlet, is an 
Indian's shack, and at the time of our visit a number of Indians were smoking and 
drying humpbacks and cohoes. Below the shack is a rather neat log cabin with 
drying racks for nets around it, and a short distance beyond is a board fishing-hut 
nsed for storing nets. In different parts of the lake stakes were projecting above the 
surface, and near the outlet they were especially numerous, their use being quite 
evident. Across the oiitlet at the lake and back for a distance of nearly half a mile 
were lines of heavy stakes running across the channel, to which gill nets are secured. 
These nets form an almost impassable barrier, and the wonder is that any lish ever 




Fisb 



Evak. 



get through to the spawning-grounds. Upon the arrival of the vessel no nets were 
found, but a few days before my visit an Indian trader from the Copper Elver district 
came to Orca for his winter-trade stock; he said in passing this point — the head of 
the outlet — the nets were so thick he thought he would have to cut them in order to 
gain a passage for his boat. 

LAKE EYAK. 

Lake Eyak has been fished every year since the canneries have been in operation. 
The first year's pack was almost entirely from this source; but from a locality once 
good for 200,000 redfish— some say 250,000— it has dwindled down to 11,000 in 1897. 
Fishermen think that if the lake and river were not fished, the approaches to the 
mouth could be made to yield 25,000 redfish in a short time. 



Bull. U. S F, C. 1898. (To face page V36.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 137 

From Lake Eyak tlie outlet Hows a straight course for a mile in a south-southeast 
direction, and then turns about 1 point to the eastward. In this slight bend, on the 
left bank, tiie old native village of Kyak was located. It is now practically abainloned, 
the inhabitants having moved to Odiak, where they live in shacks and log houses 
scattered along the line of tlie tramway. Quite a number of white men who fish for 
the canneries remain in the country all winter, not only here, but in Cook Inlet, 
Kadiak Island, and elsewhere, but there seem to be more here than at other places. 

It is said that a few salmon are obtained by tlie Indians in Lake Eyalc during 
the winter months. Tlie water being very cold, it is probable that the cohoes do not 
spawn until very late, and the Indians may catch these flsh, or possibly a few steel- 
beads may run here at this time. 

The natives in all parts of Alaska and the Aleutian chain prefer the fish well 
advanced toward spawning for their winter supply. In a country where the natives 
use rancid seal oil as a sauce for all delicacies, including strawberries and salmon 
berries, and bury salmon fresh from the sea for ten days or more to make them 
thoroughly ripe and palatable, and where a putrid whale carcass furnishes the choicest 
tid bits, a salmon well-ripened under natural conditions might be thought the proper 
food to prepare for winter. The idea is, however, that when taken from the s|)awning- 
ground they are in poor condition from long fasting, and have verj' little fat or oil, so 
that the drying or smoking process is hastened. 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. 

It is very difficult, in the absence of charts or maps, to describe the fisheries of 
this section. Time permitted only a survey of the waters in the vicinity of the 
canneries. The waters are entirely nnsurveyed, extend over a large .area, and are not 
well known. Chart B may give some idea of the situation. 

The Copper River Delta, as before mentioned, is the principal source of fish 
supply for the canneries; the fish from Prince William Sound are simply an addition, 
and the total catch for all its streams would supjjort only a very small cannery. The 
information regarding the streams of Prince William Sound was obtained from the 
cannery superintendents, masters of cannery steamers, and fishermen, modified some- 
what by carefully examining records whenever there was opportunity. 

The salmon streams of Prince William Sound resemble those of southeast Alaska, 
although as a rule they are inferior. The total catch for the whole district does not 
equal the catch of such streams as Quadra, Hetta, and others in a good season, and 
probably does not average over 12.5,(t00 red fish and .50,000 cohoes per season. The 
Pacific Steam Whaling Company's cannery has never exceeded .32,000 redfish and 
35,000 cohoes per season from the sound. While there are many streams that contain 
humpbacks, they are not very plentiful in any one stream. In none do they run even 
as they do in the smaller streams of southeast Alaska, and they, as well as the redfish 
and cohoes, are decreasing yearly. In short, the district is i)oor in salmon, and the 
streams have been injured by injudicious and illegal fishing. 

Nor are the canneries the only drains upon the salmon streams. The Treasury 
Department has leased certain islands in Prince William Sound and along the Alaska 
Peninsula to individuals and organizations for the purpose of breeding foxes, and 
thousands of .salmon are cured annually for fox food. 



13.S miLLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The caiiueries at Orca and Odiak alone fish and liave fished the streams of Prince 
William Sound for commercial purposes. Until 1N07 they had a niutnal agreement by 
which the streams of the sound were equally divided, and neither encroached uiK)n 
the othei's territory. In 1807, however, each cannery fished wherever it felt disposed. 

STREAMS OF PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. 

After leaving Orca, roundiug Hawkins Point, and ])assing through the narrows, 
ou the starboard hand a large bay is seen making in to the northeast, known as 
Simpson Bay. It has several small arms and a few streams which combined are good 
for about 1,000 redflsh, 2,000 cohoes, and a few humpbacks. 

The next bay to the westward, making in to tiie northern shore, is known as Sheep 
or Jackson Bay. It has several humpback streams. 

Next in order to the westward is a large bay known as Port (rravina, which is a 
deej) indentation with several arms. At the head of the main body is a large stream 
which in good seasons will jiroduce about 25,000 cohoes. There are two streams on 
the eastern side and three on the western side, all containing humpbacks. There are 
no redflsh streams in the bay, but redfish sometimes school around the grassy flats on 
the western side. It is reported that the stream at the head of the bay is barricaded. 

In Port Fidalgo are three humpback streams, and one of them also yields about 
5,000 cohoes a year. 

In Port Yaldes are also three streams containing humpbacks, one of which carries 
cohoes. 

Inside of Glacier Island is a stream known as Billy's Hole, from which in some 
years 20,000 redfish have been taken. 

The next deep body of water westward is Salmon Sound, on the eastern side of 
which is Miner Itiver, good for about 10,000 redfish. It is the outlet of two lakes, 
has been fished since tlie first year after the canneries were started, and has been 
continually barricaded. On the eastern side of Port Wells, inside of Esther Island, is 
a small stream which is also barricaded. It is capable of producing 3,000 redfish per 
year. 

North of Point Nowell, and inside of an island and a line of reefs, is a small stream 
known as Rubber Boot, which can be relied on for about 3,000 redfisli annually. It 
is barricaded. 

Cheniga is between Rubber Boot and Point Nowell and has the largest run of 
redfish in Prince William Sound. In 1895 it furnished about 100,0(10, but a safe value 
IS 50,000. It is said to be heavily barricaded. 

Jack Pot is a stream that empties into the head of the third inlet southwest froin 
Point Nowell. It is the outlet to a large lake system and can produce annually about 
7,000 redfish. 

Somerset River, on the eastern side of Knight Island, is a small stream. A few 
thousand redfish may be obtained from it annually. 

Port Bainbridge has at its head an outlet to two lakes. The outlet carries redfish, 
but the product obtainable is unknown. 

This completes the list of known salmon streams in Prince William Sound. As 
the cannery people are constantly striving to increase their packs, the steamers have 
prospected the locality very thoroughly, and it is believed that all the salmon streams 
of any value are known. The runs of fish are very uncertain, and as they vary largely 
from year to year, data of material value can not be obtained. No regular fishing 



THF, SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



139 



crews are kept at the distant points; a stream is visited by a .steamer and crew, and if 
fish are found schooling, the crew remain as long as a catch is made, visiting another 
locality if no fish are found. 

Except Cheniga, the streatns are all said to have small runs, and the pack of 
Prince William Sound fish is small. Fishing is done entirely by seines, but any and 
every device is used that will facilitate the catch. Fishermen and' others interested 
do not deny that the streams are barricaded. The law exempts Prince William Sound 
from the weekly close season. Why this and some other places should be exempt is 
not understood, but from all reports one would also fancy that the sound was exempt 
from the provisions against barricading. 

The following data were made up from the cannery books at Orca, and represent 
the runs of redfish and cohoes in Prince William Sound m numbers large enough to 
warrant fishing. A few run earlier and later, and in the case of cohoes it is probable 
that they run in considerable numbers after the cannery closes. 



1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 



Com- 
menced 
mnning. 



FiniRlied 
running. 



Jnnc 18 July 13 

Caunery closed. 

Nodata. 

July 18 

July 7 

July 25 

Failure 

this 

year. 



July 7 
July 11 



Com- 
menced 
running. 



Finished 
running. 



Sept.. 14 
Cannery fliised. 
"" Sept. 15 
Sept. 4 
Sept. 1 
Sept. 9 
Sept. 9 



From Prince William Sound to Cape Elizabeth, the end of what is designated as the 
second district, there are no fisheries. There are very few inhabitants in this region, 
and little is known of its features. No streams having large numbers of salmon are 
known to exist anywhere in this vicinity, otherwise canneries would be established. 
The large bays on this broken and rugged coast probably receive the waters of 
numerous streams draining mountain slopes and glaciers, and all may carry some 
salmon. Future investigation alone can determine their commercial value. 



140 I'.KLLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



COOK INLET DISTRICT. 



This district extends from Cape Elizabeth to Cape Douglass. All the canneries 
that have been operated in Cook Inlet have been located on the eastern shore at 
two points, Keuai and Knssilof. In 1891 three canneries were in operation, but since 
that date only one. 

The climate of Cook Inlet runs to extremes in the different seasons. The 
summers are comparatively mild and sunny, and the winters very cold, the extreme 
temperature reaching 60^ below zero over the surrounding country. Across the 
Kenai Peninsula, in Prince William Sound, tlu^ summers are wet, and in the winter 
extreme cold is not experienced. 

The Cook Inlet district is a very difficult one to flsli. There are probably plenty 
of salmon to supply several canneries, but they are not only difficult to catch, but the 
fisheries and the conditions attending the serving of the canneries are extremely 
hazardous. The tides and currents in the inlet are strong and treacherous, increasing 
in height and force as its head is approiiclied, where the tide comes in with a bore 
which is extremely dangerous to small craft. Nearly every season some lives are lost 
in the swift currents of Cook Inlet. The whole section is unsurveyed. Shoals make 
out a long distance from the shore, and are continually changing. When the cannery 
people return in the spring of the year they find the shoals and flats are much 
changed, and bowlders — sometimes of very large size — are noticed where they were 
not before, having been brought down by the large ice floes. 

As frequent allusion is made to the very large king salmon taken in Cook 
Inlet, it may be mentioned that in 1897 the largest individual salmon ever known in 
the vicinity was caught at Kussilof; it weighed just GSi pounds, and lost 21 pounds 
in dressing. It is said the flesh of the coho is a deeper red here than at other places, 
and there is a marked difference between the large and small redftsh, the latter being 
much rounder. 

The average pack of this district since 1882 is 0.5 per cent of the Alaska ])ack, 
and for 1897 it is 3.G per cent. 

KAKNU RIVEK. 

Kaknu River takes its source from Lake Skillokh, on the western slope of the 
Kenai range of mountains, and flows in a westerly direction for about 10 miles, 
emptying into Cook Inlet at Keuai, some 12 miles north of Kussilof. The river is said 
to have some large tributaries, and as a salmon stream has a greater value than the 
Kussilof. The cannery at Kussilof has three trai)s in this vicinity during the fishing 
season. The superintendent of the cannery, when asked as to the value of the two 
streams, said that they were both very uncertain; tiiat the Kussilof ranged from 
nothing to 5,0(10 cases, and the Kaknu from .■!,000 to 10,000 cases. The fish here 
average about 14 to the case. The Kaknu is undoubtedly the better stream, but the 
impression prevails that neither can be depended upon, and that it is exceptional to 
have a big run. Another authority stated that the Kaknu was good for 150,000 fish. 

Kenai was a ])lace of considerable importance in the earlier days. The Redoubt St. 
Nicolas, a stockaded post, was established by the linssians in 1789 and several trading 



. U. S. F C. 1898. iTo faco page 140.) 




SALTERy AT HEAD OF UGANUK BAY, KADIAK ISLAND. 




REAR VIEW OF CANNERY AT KUSSILOF. COOK INLET. 



THE SALMON AND .SALMON FISHERIES OE ALASKA. 141 

companies have been operated at tliis place. At present there is a .small settlement 
of about 150 inhabitants. 

The cannery of the Northern Packinj;- Comi)any was built in 1888 on the eastern 
side of Cook Inlet, at Kenai, at the mouth of the Kaknu Kiver, .51 miles above Anchor 
Point. It was 0])erated in 188s, 1889, 1890, and 1891. In 1892 it joined the Alaska 
Packing Association, and it became a member of the Alaska Packers' Association 
in 1893. It has been closed since 1891, and .some of the machinery has been utilized 
in the plant at Kussilof, but it is said that the cannery is iu such condition that it can 
be placed in running order at short notice. It is held as a reserve, and has a capacity 
of about 800 cases a day. 

Buildings were completed for a cannery by the Pacific Stt^am Whaling Company 
at Kenai in the summer of 1897, near the cannery of the Northern Packing Company, 
but no machinery was installed. It was said that the machinery of the Coquenhena 
cannery was to l)e placed in this plant in the spring of 1898, and the cannery was to 
be operated that season. It will have a capacity of about 800 cases a day. 

KUSSILOF RIVER. 

Tlie Kussilof River has its source in Lake Tustumena, a large body of water on 
the western slope of the mountain range that forms the dividing ridge on Kenai 
Peninsula, and flows iu a general westerly direction through bottom lands and timber 
for about 25 miles, emptying into Cook Inlet at Kussilof. It is said tliat the lake is 
fed by bottom springs and small streams. The river receives several tributaries, some 
of which are lake outlets. Little accurate information can be obtained of these 
waters. Hunters i>enetrate the interior after moose, mountain sheep, and bear, but 
their reports are vague and conflicting. The rise and fnll of sjjring tides at Kussilof 
is over 30 feet, and tide water extends up the river for a distance of G miles, to a point 
where the first rapids are encountered. At low water the stream runs some distance 
into the inlet between high mud banks, with a bar at the end, which is bare at spring 
tides. The cannery is on the right bank, with some buildings on the river and .some 
on the inlet. The river at this place is about 150 yards wide. 

The superintendent of the cannery stated that all their fish were taken in the 
inlet, and that the rivers were not fished at all, as fish were not numerous enough to 
justify making preparation for them. He said that a nuudjer of years ago, before there 
was any law on the subject, he built a trap in the river jiroper, which took only 20,000 
fish during the entire season. 

In 1890 Mr. George W. Hume, of San Francisco, built a canuery at Kussilof on 
the right bank of the river, about half a mile above its mouth. It was operated in 
1890, 1891, and 1892. In the latter year it joined the Alaska Packing Association, in 
1893 it entered the Alaska Packers' Association, and in 1894 it was consolidated with 
the Arctic Fishing Company's plant. It has not been operated since 1892. 

In 1882 the Alaska Packing Company, of San Francisco, built a cannery at Kus- 
silof, on the riglit bank of the river at the mouth, utilizing in its construction the 
available machinery of a cannery built at Old Sitka by the Cutting Packing Company, 
of San Francisco, in 1878.* In 1885 this cannery was sold to the Arctic Fishing Com- 
pany. Iu 1890 the canuery ship, the Gorca, was wrecked in Cook Inlet, and the 
cannery was not operated. In 1892 it joined the Alaska Packing Association and 

* The Old .Sitka canuery made a pack in 1878 aud 1879 and was then closed. 



142 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



MauM a/ 



was closed, and in 1S93 it entered the Alaska Packers' Association, and has been 
operated by that organization to the present time. 

In 1897 the Arctic, Fishing Company emjiloyed 'i~\ white tishermeu, and in the 
cannery S whites, 20 natives, and 100 Chinese. The hshermen used for redfish 15 gill 
nets, each 50 fathoms long, 6:^-inch 
mesh, 30 meshes deep, valued at $1 
per fathom; also for king. salmon, 15 
gill nets, each 50 fathoms long, 9i-inch 
mesh, 22 meshes deep, valued at $1 i)er 
fathom ; 8 ])ile and web traps, 30 feet 
by 50 feet square pots, and leaders 300 
to 700 feet long, valued at from $300 
to 81,500 each. Three steamers were 
employed — the Jennie, of 70 net tons, 
with a crew of (5, and valued at $26,000 ; 
the Olga, of 8 tons, Avith a crew of 2, 
and valued at $0,000; the Arthur, of 
5 tons, with a crew of 2, and valued at 
$2,100. The chartered bark I'rxxsia, 
of 1,131 net tons, and with a crew of 
fishermen, was used as a transport. 
Three sloop lighters worth $400 each, 
1 pile-driver worth $750, 1 coal scow 
valued at $500, 15 gilliiet boats at $50 
each, and 6 trap scows at $50 each, 
were also employed. 

In 1890 the equipment was prac- 
tically the same as for 1897, and the 
same hands were employed. 

The Chinese contract of the Arc- 
tic Fishi!ig Comjiany was 424 cents a 
case. The fishermen received board, 
$30 a month, and f cent a case. A 
number of these men remain in the 
country during the winter, and hunt 
and trap; some are squaw men. The cannery ship remains at anchor in Tuxedui 
Harbor, under Chisick Island, on the western shore of the inlet, as the anchorage off 
the cannery is unsafe. 

The following gives the pack of the Arctic Fishing Company at Kussilof Kiver 
for 1896 and 1897: 










Cape ^i/ss/Va/' 



Skctcli i)f Knssildf IJivtT uiid Vicinity. 



Species. 


1896. 


1897. 


Number 
of flsh. 


Cases 
packed. 


Fisli 
per 
case. 


Dates. 


Number 
of fish. 


Cases 
packed. 


Fish 
per 
case. 


Dates. 


EedBsh 

Cohoes 

King salmon... 
Humpback 


309, 863 
27, 600 
18, 076 
37, 800 


23,367 
2,300 
7,000 
2,100 


13.2 
12 
2.6 
18 


May 25 to Aug. 14 
July 20 to Aug. 10 
May 25 to June 25 
July 15 to Aug. 10 


354,800 
28,000 
14, 083 


24, 701 
2,313 
6,518 


14.1 
12.1 
2.5 


May 25 to Aug. 12. 
July 20 to Aug. 12. 
May 26 t« July 27. 









THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 143 

Tliis cannery commences to pack when tbe ice leaves the inlet so tliat the nets 
and traps can be used, usually about May '25, and closes about August 14. The first 
catch consists of king salmon and redfish, the latter in small numbers, but the com- 
bined product is sufficient to yield 50 to 100 cases a day. By July 1 the cannery 
generally has a i)ack of 8,000 to 9,000 cases, of which two-thirds are king salmon and 
the rest redflsh. During July they expect to pack from l!t,000 to 25,000 cases, of 
which 2,000 cases are king salmon, 2,000 cases cohoes, the remainder redlish; in 
August, to the 14th, they count on from 2,000 to 4,000 cases, nearly all of which are 
cohoes. 

The height of the ran of the different species is as follows: King salmon, from 
June 10 to 27; redtish, from June 1 to July 25; cohoes, from July 20 until after the 
cannery closes; and humpbacks from July 15 to August 10. 

The cannery conducts all its fisheries, using traps and gill nets. The gill nets are 
used in the inlet by drifting in the strong tidal currents — on the eastern side from 
Anchor Point to the East Foreland, and on the western side from Kalgin Island to 
Tyonek (see Chart B). The current is very strong, so that the boats drift rapidly. 
The water is not clear. 

Five traps are used in the vicinity of Kussilof and three near Kenai. They arebuilt 
in the usual way, with long leaders from the shore to deflect the fish into the square or 
heart at the end, which is in deeper water. They are driven in the si)riug and pulled 
up when the cannery closes, as no piling would stand the ice which moves in great 
masses in the inlet during the spring. 

The records of 1896 may give a general idea of the relative value of gill nets and 
traps in Cook Inlet. Of king salmon, 33 per cent were taken in traps and 67 per cent 
in gill nets; redtish, 87 per cent in traps and 13 per cent with gill nets; cohoes, nearly 
all in gill nets; humobacks, nearly all in traps. 

OTHER LOCALITIES IN COOK INLET llEGION. 

Mr. C. B. Ladd operates a saltery a short distance above Tyonek. About 100 
barrels for local use would represent the total output in 1897. 

On the western shore, below Tyonek, three streams of considerable size are said 
to empty into Cook Inlet. These streams are no doubt known to the canuerymen, as 
the gill-net fishermen drift their nets from Kalgin Island to Tyonek. The fish value 
of the district is fairly well known, except in Kamishak Bay, which is difficult of 
access and is rei^orted to be foul and dangerous to navigate. 

Two large rivers empty into Cook Inlet on the northern shore beyond the ISTorth 
Foreland — the Shushitna and the Knik; the former runs redfish and the latter king 
salmon. Very little is known of these localities. 



144 liULLKTlN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



THE KARLUK AND CHIGNIK DISTRICT. 



EXTENT AND CHAKAOTER OF THE REGION. 

Tills (listrl(!t extends from Cape Douglas toUiiimak I'ass and includes the eanueries 
on Kadiak and Afoguak island.s, Cbiguik Bay, and Thin Point. From Gape Douglas 
along tlie southern shore of the Alaska Peninsula to Chignik Bay the coast is rugged 
and deeply indented, with high mountain masses impinging close uj)on the shore. 
Nearly all of these indentations probably receive streams that have sahnon runs, but 
few of them are known to have redlish in numbers sufficient for commercial purposes. 
The cannerie.s on Kadiak have prospected over this section and at times have sent a 
steamer to Kukak Bay and obtained a load of redlish. The canneries in prosi)ecting, 
or on information from the natives, will locale one or two men on a stream for a full 
season and provide them with means for salting, judging the value of the stream from 
their output and their report. The only canneries that have been operated in this 
locality from Gape Douglas to Chignik have been on the islands of Kadiak and 
Afognnk. The bulk of the packing has centered around the mouth of Karluk lliver, 
on the northwest side of Kadiak Island, in latitude 57° 36' north, longitude 154'^ 17' 
west, where more salmon are taken than at any other one place in Alaska. 

The output of this district during the past sixteen years represents 43.8 per cent 
of the total Alaska pack, Chignik furnishing 8.1 per cent. The ])ercentage has fallen 
oft' during the past few years, owing not so much to a reduction in the pack as to 
the increased output uf southeast Alaska and Bering Sea. 

During the summer of 1S89, in accordance with an act of Congress directing the 
United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries to investigate "the habits, abun- 
dance, and distribution of the salmon of Alaska, as well as the present condition and 
methods of the fisheries," a party composed of ])r. Tarletoii H. Bean, Mr. Livingston 
Stone, Mr. Franklin Booth, and Mr. E. E. Lewis spent the entire season on the islands 
of Kadiak and Afognak. The report upon their investigations is given in the Fish 
Commission Bulletin for 1889. 

KARLUK. 

Commercial fishing for salmon has been carried on at the mouth of the Karluk 
River for the past thirty years. The first cannery was built in 1882; previous to that 
a few hundred barrels of salt salmon were annually i)ut up. The earliest account of 
commercial fishing dates back to 1807, when three parties were engaged in salting 
salmon. In 1870 the Alaska Fur Trading Company and the Alaska Commercial 
Company began to salt salmon — at first only to a limited extent, the output grad- 
ually increasing from year to year. From this small beginning grew the present 
great industry. 

Prior to 1880 no record was kept of the salmon taken. In that year fishing com- 
menced June 15 and ended September 22. The output amounted to 800 barrels of 
salt salmon and 100 half-barrels of salted salmon-bellies. The species taken was 
j)robably the red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerlcu). 

The catch at Karluk in 1895 was approximately 1,762,000 redfish, in 1896 it was 
2,650,000, and in 1897 it was 1,867,000. The canneries usually count on packing 



Bull, U. S F. C 1898. (To face page 144.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 145 

150,000 cases, wliicb would take 1,800,000 redfisli, and this is probably a fair estimate 
of the present capacity of tbe locality. It is generally believed, even by tbose inter- 
ested, that there is a gradual decline, though they still run in large numbers. In 
1890 several hauls on Karluk Spit yielded 75,000 salmon to the liaul. Hauls of I'nmi 
25,000 to 30,000 fish are not unusual during the height of the run. It is said that 
some years ago 100,000 salmon were taken at a single haul on the spit. 

The fish are rather small; the general average is probably 5i pounds in weight. 
In 180(J and 1897 the average number to the case was 12 fish; in 1897 it commenced 
at 17 to the case, changing to 15, and at the time of our visit, August 3 to G, it was 13 
to the case. The first run of the season usually consists of very small fish. 

KARLUK ItlVKK. 

The mouth of the outlet is in the middle of a curve in the shore line on the 
northwest side of Kadiak Island, facing Shelikof Strait, forming an oi)en roadstea<l 
terminating on the west in a precipitous mountain mass, about 1,0(10 feet high, called 
Karluk Head, and on the east in a line of clifts from 600 to 800 feet high. To the 
eastward of this so-called river mouth is a narrow shingle spit or bulkhead, making 
from the cliffs on the east, and closing what was once undoubtedly a narrow bay or 
estuary, forming it into a lagoon, of which the so called mouth is but the outlet. On 
this shingle spit four canneries have been located at different times, but only three 
are now operated. The spit is three-fourths of a mile long with an average width of 
about 200 feet, the narrowest part being at the northeast end, where it joins a grassy 
bluff. The general direction of the spit is northeast and southwest. At the south- 
west end the outlet empties into Shelikof Strait. 

The outlet is 90 feet wide at its mouth, and at times, during a heavy storm from 
the north or northeast, it shifts considerably, sometimes 50 feet or more. The sea, 
when it encroaches on the end of Karluk Spit, does little or no damage, but when the 
opposite bank is heavily washed during the gales of winter the foundation upon 
which the Alaska Improvement Company's cannery stands is tlireatened. 

The top of tbe spit is composed of pebbles and coarse gravel ; at the water's edge 
small bowlders appear, and 100 feet or more below low-water mark bowlders of 
considerable size are strewn over the bottom. When fishing was first commenced oft' 
the outside of tbe spit a large amount of work had to be performed in removing the 
bowlders before the ground was suitable for making hauls with tbe drag seine. 

Karluk Eiver has its source in two lakes situated about 16i miles in a direct line 
from its mouth. The larger lake is about 8 miles long, the smaller 3 miles long. For a 
distance of several miles the river flows in a west-northwest direction. The mouth of 
the river ijroper is 2 miles above the canneries, at a point immediately northeast from 
the hatchery, where the stream flows rapidly over a bowldery bed and then spreads 
out into tbe lagoon (previously referred to) which is slightly affected by the tide. 

This lagoon has at the head a width of about 300 y-ards, and gradually widens 
until it is nearly half a mile across as it approaches tbe S])it. It suddenly contracts 
near the end of the sjiit and the southern shore, and at the outlet, at the point of tbe 
spit, it has a minimum width of about 90 feet. The lagoon has a general east-and-west 
direction, is about 2 miles in length, and, except for the shingle spit which is thrown 
across its mouth by the action of the sea, its shores are bluft', rising from about 50 to 
100 feet. Through tbe narrows of the outlet tbe water runs as a rapid at low water, 
and on the inside the waters are not affected by the tide until tbe last 3 to feet 

F.C.B.,1»08 lU 



146 BULLKTIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

rise oil the high water. Boats can euter the lagoon only after half tide. About half 
a mile from the mouth of the outlet is a marshy island, which is the end of a large flat 
making out from the southern bluffs, and which has the greater part bare at low 
water. The lagoon is shallow, with sandy and grassy bottom and deeper holes along 
the spit and the northern shore. There is a shallow, regular channel at low water, 
and witli difliculty a flatboat can be worked through. At the upper end of the lagoon 
the water is slightly brackish and the current flows out; the tide affects it by backing 
up ab(mt IS inches. 

The lagoon generally freezes over in the latter part of November, and as a rule does 
not break up until late in the spring. In the river, above the lagoon, and at the 
head of the latter, small bowlders, probably brought down by the ice, are scattered 
along the banks. It is said that the lakes at the head of the river frequently freeze 
over, and in an extremely severe winter it is claimed that they freeze to the bottom. 
The theory is advanced that when the lakes are frozen to the bottom it accounts for 
the small run of salmon at almost regular intervals. 

FISHING-GROUNDS OF THE KAULUK REGION. 

The waters surrounding the outlet to Karluk Lagoon are probably the most 
remarkable in salmon production in Alaska, not only in point of numbers, but in 
the length of the runs. The fish are pi-incipaliy redtish {Oncorhi/nchus nerl;a), but 
stragglers of all the other species are taken, and in some years the humpbacks come 
in immense numbers. One instance is recorded in which they were so thick in the 
outlet that a boat could not be pulled through them, and this condition prevailed for 
weeks. (See Dr. Beau's report.) 

When salmon were taken for salting purposes only, and for some time after can- 
neries were introduced, the fishing ground for Karluk was in the outlet and lagoon, 
from \ mile to 2 miles from its mouth. It was not necessary to go outside, for an 
abundance of salmon could always be taken near the saltery and cannery. So 
numerous were they that by a few hauls, with a seine only 40 fathoms long, enough 
fish could be caught to supply the cannery for a day. On starting out in the morning 
fishermen were instructed to catch uo more salmon than could be handled during the 
day. Seldom did they fail to bring in the required amount; the chief obstacle in the 
way was to devise means to take care of the salmon as fast as caught. This was no 
easy task, for fish were plentiful, the cannery small, and everything connected with 
it crude, having few of the appliances now in common use. The workmen, as compared 
with those of to-day, were unskilled and did not move with the speed and expertuess 
now displayed. In a few years, however, it was found that larger nets and a greater 
number of them bad to be used in order to compete with new canneries. 

Up to 1889 fishing had been confined to the river, but even this wonderfully prolific 
stream could not long supply the demands of three canneries, and soon a perceptible 
falling-off in the daily catch was noticed. Before the season ended all the canneries 
were taking a large portion of their fish outside the mouth of the river. Kiver fishing 
was not wholly abandoned, but the major portion of the catch came from the outside 
fishing-grounds. 

The canneries at Karluk are chiefly, but not entirely, supplied from the fisheries 
in Karluk Bight A few fish are taken in the vicinity of Ked liiver and Ayakulik, on 
the western side of the island, a few miles south of Seal Kocks; also off the Slide, 
the bluff next east of the spit; from the Waterfalls, about 3 miles to the eastward of 



THK SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 147 

Karluk, where two streams fall iu cascades over a bluff; ami from Northeast Harbor, 
a small iiideiitatioii a few miles eastward of the Waterfalls; bat these fish all belong- 
to the Karluk school. Some years ago a few were takeu at Little Kiver, whicli is inside 
and a little westward of Cape TJgat, aud from Kagayak and Kukak, on the maiidaud. 
But all these places supply but a very small percentage of the Karluk pack. Ucca 
sionally, when there is a slack in the run at Karluk, one or the other of these places 
may be visited by the caunery steamer. Before the cannery at Uganuk was built the 
stream at this place was also fished by the Karluk canneries. 

TIME OF TIIK SALMON RUNS. 

The time of run is no less remarkable than the numbers of tish. The canneries 
count for a certainty on obtaining fish from the middle of June to the middle of Sep- 
tember. Some years the packing has commenced the latter part of May, and again 
it has continued iuto October. Some cannerymen state that the Karluk packing- 
season is from June 1 to September 30. It is true that the records show long runs of 
redfish in Cook Inlet, Copper liiver, and Chilkat, but the early runs in these localities 
are straggling tish, and were it not for the king salmon no attempt would be made to 
take the redfish at the earliest dates. It appears that the redfish run earlier to the 
westward than in southeast Alaska. At Attn it is said they run May 1, While the 
run probably commences to the westward, yet the great difference in time shown by 
the records is not, in my opinion, altogether real. There are undoubtedly straggling 
redfish very early in all localities in Alaska, and in a place like Karluk, with a catch 
of nearly 2,000,000 fish, these early stragglers must come in sufticieiit numbers to war- 
rant commencing caunery operations, while at a stream having a production of 30,000 
to -10,000 fish they may be represented by only a few individuals. Proximity to the 
sea is, no doubt, also favorable to early runs. The late runs may be accounted lor by 
similar reasoning. It is said that the fish in the late runs are in excellent condition. 

It is a question whether the fish that school around Karluk all belong to the 
Karluk Kiver; that is, whether they would all go up that I'iver to spawn. For some 
unknown reason large schools of fish come in from the sea and, finding conditions 
favorable, school around the vicinity of Karluk, and from there distribute themselves 
in schools along the islands, the rivers on the southern side of the peninsula, and go 
as far as Cook Inlet. 

ILLEGAL FISHING. 

Sharp competition has caused most of the streams in Alaska to be excessively 
fished; it is also more or less responsible for the great amount of illegal fishing 
carried on in the past aud at present. When, however, it is considered that the 
canneries in Alaska have been striving each season to increa.se the packs over those of 
the year preceding, and have resorted to every means to obtain the highest pack, it 
will be seen that even a person willing and anxious to comply with the law and to tish 
in a manner not injurious to a stream would soon be forced to abandon his ground. 
It is only fair to state that most cannerymen are willing to comply with the law regu- 
lating the fisheries. But where a few individuals evade the law in every possible 
manner, using methods which will eventually injure the fishery, aud persist from year 
to year with impunity, there is little or no incentive for others to observe the law. 

It is claimed that for a number of years fishing in the river has been limited. 
Competition has not yet wholly ceased, and frequent seine hauls are made in the 
river atid many salmon taken which would have reached the spawning-grounds in the 



148 BULLETIN OF THK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

lakes bad they not been disturbed. After a salmon lias once run the gauntlet of 
seines outside the river it should be permitted to i>erform its chief object in life, 
rintil the law is strictly enforced and fishing in streams can not be openly done with 
impunity, those who have shown an inclination to protect the salmon fishery will have 
little encouragement. It is true that the number of salmon taken out of Karluk 
Kiver is small as compared to the catch on the outside grounds; but even a limited 
amount of river fishing is suflicient to produce results injurious to- the fishery. 

Karluk Eiver, like all streams in Alaska where the operation is feasible, has in 
past year^ suffered by barricades and zapors. In late years it is said there have been 
no barricades in the stream. For some time previous to ISS'J a feuce or barricade had 
been placed across the mouth of the river near the upper end of the estuary above the 
seiuing-grouud; but it was removed in that j'ear, and there has since been no obstruc- 
tion except in 1891, when for a short time a fence was jiut in to aid in taking salmon 
for the hatchery which had been built. 

CANXEKIES OF THE KARLUK DISTIilCT. 

That a iirolific locality like the Karluk shoidd be a bone of contention is only 
natural, and scarcely a year has passed that some struggle for supremacy between 
rival canneries has not disturbed the normal conditions. In 189G the following 
canneries were open and made packs: Alaska Improvement Company under that 
company, and the Karluk Packing Company and the Hume- Aleutian under the 
Alaska Packers' Association. In 1897 the Alaska Packers' Association purchased the 
cannery of the Alaska Improvement Company and operated all the canneries. The 
transfer of j)roperty took place after the fishing arrangement had been made. By 
this purchase the association came into possession of all the canneries in the vicinity 
of Karluk, and purchased what they hoped was peace. But the spring of 1897 saw 
two canneries built at Uyak, about 18 miles from Karluk, expecting to make their 
pack from the Karluk beach. The contention arising from the fisheries of these 
canneries is now in the courts of San Francisco. 

Karhih Pacling Comijuny. — In 1883 Jlessrs. Smith & Ilirsch, who had been engaged 
in salting on Karluk Spit, built the first cannery on Kadiak Island. After operating 
it until 1881 it was organized under the title of the Karluk Packing Company, and 
has packed under that name every year to date. It joined the pool of the Alaska 
Packing Association in 1892, and became a member of the Alaska Packers" Associa- 
tion in 1893. It has a capacity of 2,000 cases per day. It has packed more fish than 
any other cannery in Alaska. Since 1882 the total is 814,642 cases, with an average 
of 52,790 cases per year. In 1888 it packed 101,304 cases. This cannery employed 
but few men at first — 10 Chinese to perform the mechanical work, and two gangs of 
fishermen, 5 or G men in each, mostly natives. Two drag seines, each 40 fathoms long 
and 3 fathoms deei>, were employed in capturing fish. 

Kiidiuli Faclinij Company. — The cannery of this company was built in 1888 on the 
eastern end of the spit, and was operated in 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1893. It was 
a member of the pool of the Alaska Packing Association in 1892 and closed that year. 
In 1893 it joined the Alaska Packers' Association and was operated, but has been 
closed ever since that date and is held as a reserve. In 1891, under the agreement of 
the Karluk Eiver Fisheries, this cannery packed the quota of fish allowed the Arctic 
Packing Company at Uyak Bay. It has a capacity of 1,800 cases a day. 



Bull. U, S F. C. 1898, (To face page 148 ) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OP ALASKA. 149 

Hume Packing Company. — The cannery of this company was built in 1889 on the 
spit about 400 yards westward of Kodiak cannery, and has been operated every year 
to date. In 1892 it joined the pool formed by the Alaska Packing Association, and in 
1893 it became a member of the Alaska Packers' Association. In 1891, under the 
agreement of the Karluk Kiver Fisheries, the quota of fish allotted to the Aleutian 
Islands Fishing and Mining Company's cannery was packed in the Hume cannery, and 
after that date these two canneries were consolidated under the Ilume, which is now 
known as the Hume-Aleutian. The capacity is 2,600 cases per day. 

Aleutian Lilands Fishing and j\[ining ('ompany. — This company in 1888 built a 
cannery on Karluk Spit in a position which is now about 100 yards westward of the 
Hume cannery, and operated it in 1888, 1889, and 1890. In 1891 the quota of hsh 
allowed under the Karluk River Fisheries agreement was packed in the Hume can- 
nery, under an agreement known as the Hume- Aleutian compact. After 1801, however, 
the two canneries were consolidated and, as mentioned above are now known as tlie 
Hume-Aleutian. The building is used as a warehouse. 

Alaska Improvement Company. — This company was incorporated uiuler the laws of 
the State of California, and in 1888 built a cannery on the left bank of the outlet, 
opposite the point of the spit and facing the Shelikof Straits. It was ready to pack 
in 1888, but was not operated on account of the loss of the cannery ship, the Julia 
Ford. It made a first pack in 1889, and has continued each year to date. In 1891, 
under the Karluk River Fisheries agreement, the quota of the fish of the Russian- 
American cannery at Afognak was packed at the Alaska Improvement Company's 
cannery. It did not enter the pool of the Alaska Packing Association of 1892, nor 
the Alaska Packers' Association of 1893, but in the spring of 1897 it was sold to the 
latter organization, and is now operated by that company. It has a capacity of 1,000 
cases a day. The cost of the cannery from the time of building until 1890, including 
all buildings, wharves, machinery, and improvements and additions, was $38,000. 

Hume Canning and Trading Company. — In 1893 this company built a cannery on 
the beach under Karluk Head, about three-fourths of a mile northward of the Alaska 
Improvement Company, in what is known locally as Tanglefoot Bay. It was operated 
in 1893 and 1894, and in 1895 it was sold to the Alaska Packers' Association and 
operated by that organization; it was closed in 1896 and 1897. It is held as a 
reserve, and has a capacity of 1,600 cases a day. 

OUTPUT AND EQUIPMKNT OF THE KARLUK CANNERIES. 

In 1896 the Alaska Improvement Company packed 87,613 cases of redfish, 12 to 
the case. No other fish were packed and none salted or smoked. Of the above, 
15,.j80 cases were fish taken at Uganuk, which ran 10 to the case; 3,500 cases from 
Ayagulik; 340 cases from Kaguayak, and 10 cases from Little River. The balance, 
68,183 cases, were from Karluk beach and lagoon. The Aleuts fished the lagoon and 
the white crews fished the beach fronting the property of the Alaska Improvement 
Company. Packing begun June 10, when 270 cases were packed — 18 cases of Karluk 
fish and 252 cases from Uganuk. The last fish were packed September 15, all from 
Karluk. The nets were dragged as late as September 20. 

During part of .July and August the run of redfish was so large at Karluk that 
the company sold 101,000 to Hume Bros. & Hume and 54,000 to the Pacific Steam 
Whaling Company, both at Chignik, and only stopped selling fish to that point by 
agreement with the Alaska Packers' Association canneries, which were also shijjpiug 



150 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

tisli to tiieir cannery at Chignik, and upon reijuest of the salmon inspector, who hap- 
pened to be tliere and who saw the great loss of tisli in transit and the poor (condition 
in which they arrived at their destination. 

In l<S9(i the Alaska Improvement Company emi)l()yed GO white and 18 Aleut fisher- 
men, and 16 white and 123 Chinese cannery-hauds, including boss, tester, and cook. 
The white fisliermen were transported free from San Francisco to Karluk and return. 
From the time of landing until iishing commenced they were paid at tlie rate of ^U) 
per month, and during this time were employed in getting boats, nets, gear, c^tc, 
ready for the season's work. From the tinu^ fishing stopped until their departure from 
Karluk the same rate was paid; during this time they were employed in clearing up 
and closing the cannery. The fishermen in 1800, at these rates, were paid 40 days in 
the spring and r>4 days in the fall. While fishing they were paid $15 per 1,000 salmon, 
collectively, and a ration of 35 cents per day per man. Quarters, fuel, water, and salt 
were supplied and a cook and baker furnished, who together got $100 per month. 
The fishermen had no work on the vessel either way excei)t to man the pumjjs. Full 
crews wei'e kept on the vessels all the time. 

The Chinese were transported each way free of charge, but they fed and bedded 
themselves. They contracted at 45 cents a case, and were found quarters, water, fuel, 
and salt. A cook was furnished who received $300 for the season. The boss (Jhina- 
man had an additional salary of $50 per month besides his lay, and the tester was 
hired independently and paid $350 for the season. 

Tliere were used 3 seines 500 fathoms long, 3^-inch mesh stretched, 100 meshes 
deep at bunt, 100 meshes at the offshore end, and GO meshes deep at the inshore end; 
1 seine 350 fathoms long, 3:^ inch mesh; 1 river seine, 175 fathoms long; and 1 seine 
150 fathoms long; value of all seines, $1.75 per fathom. 

The large seines were used by the wJiite crews on the outside beaches, and the 
small ones by the Aleuts in the river and lagoon. There were also 2 seines, 500 
fathoms long, stretched and hung in the loft ready for use, and some spare web on 
hand, all valued at $2,000. 

The Alaska Improvement Company used an experimental trap at Uganuk in 1896. 
As there is no timber in tins country for piling and as the water is very deep, the trap 
was made floating. It had a leader of 200 fathoms with a pot 36 feet by 200 feet. Old 
seines, 3^-inch mesh, were used in the leader. The following gear was used in anchoring 
and floating the trap: Six coils 2-iuch, 24 coils 2i-inch, and 4 coils 3inch rope; 100 
keg floats and 10,(100 cork floats; 12 400-i)ound anchors, 14 300-pound anchors, and 
20 150-pound anchors. Depth of water at pot, 11 fathoms. 

The Alaska Improvement Company placed a second floating trap at Uganuk in 
the spring of 1897, which was similar to the one just described, but larger. It liad 
a leader of 300 fathoms, and a pot 50 by 300 feet, with a circular extension wing 100 
fathoms long. Depth at pot at high water, 12 fathoms. There were used in the con- 
struction of this trap, aside from the web, 10 coils each of H inch, 2-inch, 2i-inch, 
and 3-inch rope, 20 coils 2f-inch rope, 10,000 cork floats, 900 three-gallon keg floats, 
and many anchors. These traps were set at the time of the transfer of the property 
and turned over to the Alaska Packers' Association ; but, as the fishery at Uganuk 
was a failure, they were taken up, and at the time of our visit they were stored in the 
cannery. 

The Alaska Iinprovemeut Company employed the steamer Kadiak, of 58 tons, 
with a crew of x, and valued at $23,000; the steamer Alaska, of 23 tons, with a crew 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISIIF.RIES OK ALASKA. 151 

of 5, and valued at $7,500; the lamicli Delphine, of 5 tons, with a crew of 2, and val- 
ued at $4,500; the hinnch Gorinne, of 5 tons, with a crew of 2, and valued at $3,750; 
the ship Centennial, of 1,139 tons, with a crew of 14, and valued at $14,250; the bark 
Harvester, of 710 tons, with a crew of 10, and valued at $7,750; the threeinast 
schooner Premier, of 292 tons, with a crew of 8, and valued at $9,000; also 7 beach 
seine boats 35 feet long; 2 river seine boats 25 feet long; 1 river seine boat 20 feet 
long — all valued at $4 per running foot. A large nuinlier of dories and skills were 
also used. 

In 1896 the Karluk Packing Company and the Hume-Aleutian Packing Company 
were operated together and under one management, and the equipment will therefore 
be given under one bead. The two compauies employed in the fisheries and in tlie 
canneries 200 whites, 100 natives, and 200 Chinese. There were used 8 seines 450 
fathoms long, 3-inch mesh, 145 meshes deep; 2 seines 425 fathoms long, 180 meshes 
deep; 1 seiue 200 fathoms long. 100 meshes deep, all 3incli mesh, valued at $1.50 per 
fathom. The vessels and boats employed were the steamer Hattie Gage, of 42 tons, 
with a crew of 8, and valued at $17,000; 2 launches of about 5 tons each, with crews 
of 2, and valued at $2,000 eacb ; 13 lighters, valued at $400 each ; 70 dories, valued 
at $25 each; 15 seine boats, valued at $125 each. The transports were the shii) St. 
Nichola.s, of 1,688 tons, chartered, with a crew of 19; the ship Santa Clara, of 1,473 
tons, with a crew of 18, and valued at $30,000. 

The Karluk cannery in 1896 packed 68,495 cases of redfish, averaging 12 per case, 
and the Hume-Aleutian 70,320 cases of redfish, of same average size. Botli canneries 
packed from June 5 to September 18. No other fish were packed at these canneries. 

In 1897 there were packed in the Karluk district 1,865,731 redfish, niaking 156,286 
cases; also 1,500 cohoes, making 89 cases, or a total of 156,.'>75 cases. Of this number, 
2,113 cases wei-e packed at (Jganuk. The Alaska Improvement Company packed 
49,852 cases of redfish from June 12 to September 21. The Karluk Packing Company 
jiacked 54,777 cases of redfish from June 3 to October 9. The Hume- Aleutian packed 
49,633 cases of redfish from June 16 to September 20. The average number of fish per 
case was 11.94. 

In 1897 the Karluk Packing Company, the Hume- Aleutian Packing Company, 
and the Alaska Improvement Company, o[)erating together, employed 16 hatchery- 
men, 126 white fishermen, 49 whites around the canneries, 390 Chinese, and 25 natives, 
the latter as tishermeu and around the canneries. Of this number, there were taken 
for the Uganuk cannery 20 white fishermeu, 12 white cannery-hatuls, and 96 Chinese. 
As the fisheries at Uganuk were a failure iu 1897, these hands were all transferred 
back to Karluk early in July, so that the number first stated may properly be credited 
to the three canneries operated in 1897 at Karluk. 

For the Karluk fisheries there were used 3 drag seines each 500 fathoms long, 
125 meshes deep; 8 drag seines each 450 fathoms long, 145 meshes deep; 3 drag seines 
eacb 425 fathoms long, 180 meshes deep; 3 drag seines each 200 fathoms long, 100 
meshes deep — all 3-inch mesh, and valued at $1.75 per fathom. 

The steamer Kadialc, of 58 tons, with a crew of 8, and valued at $20,250, was 
regularly employed, and the steamer Hattie Gac/e was under charter part of the time 
and used as a reserve part of the time. Four launches were also used, the Aurora, 
Ida, Delphine, and .Julia M., valued, respectively, at $3,700, $2,700, $2,500, and $2,000, 
all of about 5 tons and carrying 2 men each. The transports were the ship Santa 
Clara, of 1,473 tons, with a crew of 18, and valued at $30,000; the chartered ship St. 
Nicholas, of 1,688 tons, with a crew of 19; tlie bark Nicholas Thayer, of 556 tons, with 



152 15ULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

a crew of 11, and valued at $10,000; the bark Merom, of 1,159 tons, with a crew of 15, 
and vahied at $16,000. 

The Scmta Clara made two trips to Karluk; the Nicholas Thayer, besides tlie 
Karhik trip, made two trips to Loring, and the bark Merom made one trip to Naknek. 
The canneries used 13 lighters, valued at $400 each; 21 seine boats, vahied at $125 
each ; and 113 dories, valued at $25 each. There is a large amount of spare equipnieiit 
on liand. 

The Chinese contract was 40 cents a case, and, as is always the arrangement, on 
a guaranteed pack. The fishermen have wages until fishing begins, and then an 
allowance per case. This nets them about $45 per month and board. 

REGULATION OF WORK IN CANNKRIE8. 

The canneries at Karluk and the one at Uganuk are under the management of 
one general superintendent. Each cannery has its foreman and regular number of 
employees, and in many ways they are separate and work independently of each other. 
The fish caught are equally divided among the canneries, the pack of eacli from day 
to day being so regulated as to amount to about the same. Each cannery packs 
salmon under the original brands used previous to coming into the association. It 
has been found necessary to do this in order to hold the established trade. Had new 
brands been substituted, considerable confusion and dissatisfaction would have 
arisen, followed by a decrease in the demand for Karluk salmon, for after establishing 
a reputation a brand of salmon can not be changed without a loss to the cannery. 

FISHERMEN IN THE KARLUK REGION. 

Each fishing gang has a boss, who directs the setting of the seine and the handling 
of the boats. Seines are set in their regular turn ; as soon as one haul has been made 
another is commenced. Tliis is kept up day and night when fish are plentiful and tlie 
weather and tide favorable. On shore two men, who are known as shore boss fisher- 
men, keep a sharp lookout for any signs of salmon which may appear oft' the spit. If, 
in their judgment, the conditions are favorable for setting seines, the fishermen are 
called out and rei^eated hauls made. It fre(juently happens that fish will be jumping 
and no i^articular notice taken of them; at other times one or two salmon observed 
will be sufficient for the seine to be set. Long exi^erience has taught tliese men when 
to make hauls to obtain the best results. They arfe governed largely by the weather, 
direction of the wind, and the way fish are playing. • 

SIZE AND NUMBER OF SEINES. 

It has been frequently found necessary to increase the number and length of the 
seines at Karluk. Commencing with nets 40 fathoms long, they have now reached a 
length of 500 fathoms. The average length, however, is 450 fathoms. The size of 
mesh is 3 inches, stretch measure. 

A large amount of web and other material for making seines is kept in stock. In 
the spring the necessary seines are manufactured; when one is worn out, it is replaced 
by another. The wear which seines receive in this fishery is considerable, and the 
number expended each year amounts to several thousand fathoms. The quantity of 
web, corks, and rope kept on band for making seines varies but little from year to 
year. lu 1895 an inventory of the amount on hand was taken, and, as there has been 
no material change since, the quantity for that year will answer for 1897. At the 



Bull. U S F C. 1898. (To face page 152.1 




SEINING AT KARLUK 




A. P. A CANNERY AT CHIGNIK BAY. 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 153 

beginning of the season mentioned 11,520 fathoms of wel) were on hand, eqnal to 
abont 20,000 pounds, representinji- in vahie nearly $4,000, at 15 cents a ponnd. A 
seine such as is used here, iinished and ready to put in the water, costs 35 cents a 
pound, which is approximately e(iuivaleut ta $1 a fathom. This includes corks, leads, 
head and foot lines. The total length of seines used in 1897 was 6,975 fiithoms, 
representing a value of $0,975. It is diflicult to ascertain the number of fathoms of 
web worn out during a season's fishing, but it is safe to say that the amount reaches 
nearly two-thirds as much as the combined length of seines hung at the beginning of a 
season. The small seines, 200 fathoms long, are used in the river; those 425 fathoms 
and 180 meslies deep are used mostly off the beach in Tanglefoot Bay. The water here 
is somewhat deeper than off the spit, and requires seines of diflerent dimensions. 

IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF SEINING. 

Previous to 1890 seining at Kaiiuk was performed by hand. In that year steam 
power was introduced, which greatly facilitated the work and reduced the manual 
labor fully one-half. Formerly the time occupied in setting and hauling a seine was 
from four to six hours, depending largely on the weather and other circumstances. The 
average time required to make a haul under favorable conditions was about four hours. 
In setting a seine the inner end was anchored close to the beach; the outer end, when 
thrown ont of the boat, was usually the length of the seine rope from the shore, about 
75 to 100 fathoms. The seine rope was then run to the shore and taken to a wooden 
capstan. Setting the seine was comparatively easy, but it required the united 
strength of the crew to haul it in, and frequently the assistance of a second crew was 
needed. In this way only a few hauls could be made each day. The labor connected 
with this kind of fishing was hard, and only men inured to exposure could continue 
through a season. 

The easiest part of the work was in surrounding the fish. The crew consisted of 
18 men, 8 to row the boat, 2 to tend the seine as it ran out over the stern, on the 
beach, and 2 stationed in dories to keep the foot line and cork rope clear. Drag seines 
are not thrown from the boat in the same manner as purse seines; the latter are stowed 
in evenly i>iled layers, the corks aft and the twine forward, and set from the side of 
the boat. Drag seines are stowed with considerably less care, as they run out with 
little assistance while the boat is being rowed. 

STEAM POWER IN THE KARLUK FISHERIES. 

The introduction of steam power on shore and the use of steam launches in setting 
seines has done away with a large portion of the manual labor connected with the 
fishery. Stowing seines and handling the catch require the same labor as heretofore. 
In setting a seine assisted by a steam launch, the inner end of the seine is anchored 
or otherwise fastened near the beach, as was the former custom wlien all work was 
performed by hand. The seine boat starts from the shore, from 6 to 8 men at the 
oars, and 2 men stationed at the stern who keep the seine from fouling as it runs out. 
When about 75 or 100 fathoms of net have been let out, a steam launch takes the seine- 
boat in tow. The men take in their oars and give all their attention to the seine, 
which is rapidly running out. When the seine is set it forms a semi-circle, the outer 
end being from COO to 800 feet off shore. The launch then commences to tow this end 
of the seine to the beach, making a wide sweep, so as to cover as much ground as 
possible. This frequently occupies an hour or more. When the end of the seine is 



154 Bl LLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

witbiu about 200 feet of the shore the launch casts off the seiue rope, which is picked 
up by the boat and taken to the shore and phxeed in snatch blocks which lead to a 
steam winch and are arranged along the beach. As the seine is hove in, the circle 
becomes smaller, and in order to have the rope at all times pull from the right direction 
the seine rope is shifted as the seine comes in, from the outer to the inner blocks. By 
this means the seine is landed on the beach at the desired spot. During this operation 
a man is stationed at the post from which the seine rope leads, and gives the necessary 
signals; he also shifts the seine rope from block to block when necessary. 

After the end of the seine is lauded ou the beach, half of the seine has still lo be 
drawn into a small compass in order to accommodate the size of the catch. This is 
done by hitching the hauling lino around the body of the seine, flutiug it as it comes 
home, and shifting the leads as may be required. In this way the entire seine is hauled 
in; the hauling is all done from one end. As soon as the seine is dragged into as 
narrow compass as desired, a dory is anchored a short distance outside the seine, the 
rode line is paid out until the dory reaches the cork rojie, which is taken over the 
stern of the dory and made ftist. This is called a " snag tender." A man is stationed 
ou the outside of the corks to be ready to clear the foot line should it come in contact 
with anything on the bottom. When the wind is blowing on shore and any consider- 
able surf is heaving in on the beach, the dory keeps the seine in position, preventing 
it from being thrown into a heap. The catch having been gathered into a bag formed 
by the net, the corks are made fast to the gunwale of two or more dories, as may be 
required, and the fish pitched into them with singletined forks called "pews." When 
a large haul of salmon is taken, dip nets holding 18 to 20 flsh or more are used; this 
is called "bailing out.'' 

By the time one seiue is half in, another is being set, and at no time when the 
weather is suitable and fish plentiful, except from Friday night to Suiulay morning, 
is the fishing-ground free from seines. Frequently three and four are in the water 
at once. 

It has been the custom not to set seines directly across the mouth of the outlet, 
but the manner of operation often makes it almost impossible for flsh to ascend 
except in the early spring. Those that escape one haul are likely to be captured in 
the next. It is true that one day in each week no fishing is carried on. and during 
that time a considerable number of salmon jiass in by the mouth of the outlet, but the 
majority of tliese are captured before ascending very far. If fishing in the outlet 
were entirely prohibited, it would aid very nuiterially in keeping up the supply. 

SHIPS AND HOATS. 

A fishery so large as that carried on at Karluk requires many boats of difterent 
types. The expense of keeping these in repair and supplying new ones when needed 
is considerable. These cannery ships, like all others connected with the salmon 
fishery of Alaska, on leaving the home port in the spring are loaded with the raw 
material to be used during the season, which consists largely of box boards, tin, rope, 
and machinery; also the required amount of provisions. In most cases the superin- 
tendents, foremen, and bookkeepers of the canneries take passage in these vessels; 
the fishermen and Chinese help are also included among the number. 

In all parts of Alaska where drag-seine fishing is carried on, the style of boats 
varies but little, they being about the same shape and build. Those used at Karluk 
are from 2S to 30 feet long and 9 feet wide, flat on the bottom, and square across the 



Bull. U S, F.C 1898, (To face page 1 54.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 165 

stern. The seine is stowed in the bottom of the boat, and when beiug set is thrown 
from the stern by two men. In localities where small seines are used a platform is 
built at the stern of the boats, upon which seines are stowed. Seines 450 fixthoms 
long-, such as are used at Karhik, can not be stowed to advantage on a platform, as 
considerable room is required, and in a short choppy sea, which is frequently encoun- 
tered off the mouth of the river, the net would be likely to topple over. 

The dories range in leugth from 16 to 22 feet. The large ones are used mostly in 
carrying salmon from the seiningground to the canneries. When fish are plentiful 
and large hauls are made, scows are used. Small dories are used in tending the 
seines when set, such as clearing the foot line from bowlders or other obstacles on 
the bottom. The scows or lighters are principally for loading and unloading the ships, 
although they are frequently used in handling a large catch of salmon. There are 
several sizes, varying in length from 30 to 4(1 feet, the largest having a capacity of SOO 
cases. 

SALMON IIATCnBRY NEAR KARLUK. 

In 1891, when under the Karluk River Fisheries an ai)portionmeiit of the lish 
was made for the year by mutual agreement, the organization built and operated a 
hatchery on tiie lagoon at a point half a mile below the present liatchery; 2,.50(),O()O 
eggs were taken, but, owing to bad water, crude appliances, and want of experience, 
only about 500,000 fish were hatched. As the Karluk Kiver Fisheries agreement went 
out of existence after the pack of 1891 and the canneries concerned could not agree in 
continuing the operations, the hatchery was abandoned. 

The hatchery now operated at Karluk by the Alaska Packers' Association was 
built in 1806. It is situated on the southern bank of Karluk River abont 2 miles from 
the outlet, and has been successful from the beginning. 'The first season, fall of 189(( 
to spring of 1897, 2,500,000 red salmon were hatched and liberated. In a recent letter 
from the superintendent of the hatchery, he states that he took over 5,500,000 eggs 
during the season of 1898, and that they were in an exceedingly healthy condition, the 
prospects being good for a large output with no undue losses. 

Alaska, like most regions where hatcheries have been operated, presents a variety 
of conditions, both favorable and otherwise, under which artificial propagation must 
be carried on. A plan which has been followed with success in one locality may fail 
in another. It is extremely donbtful if there can be found in the Territory two places 
where propagation can be conducted in detail on precisely similar lines. 

The building at Karluk is fitted with all the modern improvements usually found 
in a hatchery, snch as steam engine, pump, and heating apparatus for warming the 
building and the water in the troughs and spawning pools. Approximately, the size 
of the hatchery building is 40 by 110 feet, and l.l stories high. Half the upi)er Hoor 
is a general storeroom; the other part is divided into quarters for the employees; the 
kitchen and dining room are below. 

At the time of our visit work was being actively carried on in the construction of 
spawning and rearing ponds, and buildings to cover them. One large pond had been 
l)reviously built in the hatchery in which many of the small fry first hatched had 
been reared until liberated. It is also used to keei) sjjawn fish in during cold weather. 
Another pond, situated near the bank of the river, had been used the first season for 
the same purpose. As the fish grow tliey are removed from the pond in the hatchery 
to th(^ one outside. 



15G BULLETIN OP TITK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The water supply is received from two creeks, one at the hatcliery, the otlier three- 
fourths of a mile away. The water is admitted into the building through the roof, 
passes through several screens, and is distributed to the troughs under pressure from 
a tank. The supply reaches the troughs through a Oinch pipe. 

There are 1.'5 sections of 4 troughs each, the total capacity of which is approxi- 
mately 10,000,000 eggs. Taken as a whole the hatchery compares favorably with the 
best. Money has not been spared to make it flrst-class in every respect. 

The water in the pond connected with the hatchery can be kept at any tempera- 
ture desired. In this way a large number of fish can be held for a long i)eriod. The 
average temperature of water during the winter of 1800-97 was 31!. 5°. In the hatchery 
it was kept at from 38° to 43°. On a few occasions a temperature of 52° was reached. 
Many of the eggs were 155 days in hatching. 

Few salmon were taken at the hatchery for spawning jinrposes from the 20th of 
July to the 5th of August. An abundance of fish entered the lower river, but as river 
fishing was being carried on, only an occasional salmon was observed as far upstream 
as the hatchery. Consequently the fishing gang, which was stationed on a projecting 
point making out from the southern bank of the river, watched for days lor favorable 
signs, making repeated hauls with little or no success. The highest number of fish 
taken in one day was 83. This catch was made on the 5th of August, the day of 
our departure. The cause for this remarkable scarcity of salmon at the hatchery 
was attributable to the frequent seine hauls made inside the mouth of the river near 
the canneries, from 8,000 to 10,000 being taken there daily. Fish which escaped the 
seines off' the spit were almost certain of capture before they could get very far up 
the river, thereby minimizing the chances of many being secured at the hatchery. 
The work of artificial propagation was thus greatly retarded, much to the discourage- 
ment of all concerned. 

At the end of a fortnight it was deemed advisable to commence supplying the 
hatchery with spawn fish from the moutli of the river, as at tliat time the indications 
were that few salmon would be taken on the hatchery seiningground. The first day 
7,000 fish were caught and placed in the ponds. The mortality was considerable at 
first, but after a time better results were obtained. It was subsequently learned that 
during the latter part of August a number of good hauls of salmon were made otf the 
hatchery. Most of the fish, however, were taken outside the mouth of the river. 

As long as fishing is conducted in the river the hatchery will at most times labor 
under great disadvantage, for the seiningground upstream can not then be depended 
upon to supply the number of spawn-fish I'equired. Means should be taken to stop 
all commercial fishing, both in and directly off" the mouth of the river. With all 
obstructions removed, there would during the fishing season be little, if any, difficulty 
in obtaining spawn fish to run the hatchery at its fullest capacity, and at the same 
time this would not materially affect the pack of the canneries. 

The spawn-salmon are transported to the hatchery by "cars." These are manu- 
factured from discarded dories, and are said to be more servic /ole and more easily 
handled than the ordinary square box car. The fish are plai ,;• in the cars as care- 
fully as circumstances will i)ermit. If the tide be low at the le the catch is made, 
the cars are tied up to the bank of the stream until the tide rises, for the river is too 
shallow to admit of their being towed to the hatchery, excei)t after half flood-tide. 

The transportation of stock salmon in tlie manner described was in its experi- 
mental stage, and the fish did not always arrive at the spawning ponds in good 



THE SALMON AND SALMOX FISHERIES OP ALASKA. 157 

condition. At this time the cars had uo covering and the tish strnggled wildly in 
their efforts to escape. This no doubt added largely to their death rate. It has since 
been learned that later in the season little difficulty was experienced in transferring 
and holding the fish. Another year, with the increased facilities contemplated, 
together with the experience gained concerning local conditions during the past two 
seasons' work, will bring this hatchery up to a high standard. 

OFFAL IN KARLUK RIVER. 

During a heavy run of fish a large amount of oflal is daily thrown into the outlet. 
Three of the canneries are situated on the bank of the stream and one at the month. 
The refuse material coming from the one at the mouth is usually carried directly out 
to sea, but that which falls from the other three is for a long time swept back and 
forth, up and down the estuary, by the current of the stream and tide from the ocean. 
A considerable amount of this material is sometimes thickly strewn over the bottom, 
frequently in the path of salmon on their way upstream. At the time of the writer's 
visit to the river the daily catch of salmon was small, and a correspondingly slight 
amount of refuse matter was visible; but enough was noticed to form an opinion as 
to the quantity that would have been dumped into the river had the catch been large. 

Inquiries were made of different individuals connecfed with the fishery as to 
whether offal in any way affected the progress of salmon in their Journey upstream. 
It was stated that at no time had it been noticed that the movements of salmon 
had been arrested by offal, either stationary or moving over the bottom. It was 
claimed that freipiently a large number of salmon would be seen in that part of the 
river where tlie refuse matter was most abundant, cau.sing the water to be very much 
discolored, which, so far as could be observed, did not in any way disturb their move- 
ments. With most marketable sea fishes, even a small amount of blood or refuse 
matter has the effect of driving them from the ground, and it would seem that the same 
rule would apply to the salmon. In order, however, to arrive at a definite conclusion 
in regard to this matter, a careful study would have to be made of the stream under 
various conditions. As this river has for years been the dumping ground for such 
large (quantities of refuse, it would seem that its injurious effects are indeed slight. 

ALITAK BAY. 

Alitak Bay is a deep indentation, with several arms, on the southwestern end of 
Ivadiak Island, about (j5 miles from Karluk. A map and a de.scrii)tion of the locality 
are given in Dr. Bean's report, in the Fish Commission Bulletin for 1S8!I, pages 182-184. 

The Arctic Packing Company in 1889 built a cannery in the southwest bight of 
Olga Bay, which is a branch of Alitak Bay, and is connected with it by a long, narrow 
passage. It has been operated every year since its construction, and in 1892 it was 
in the pool formed by the Alaska Tacking Association, and in 1893 it entered the 
Alaska Packers' Association. It has a capacitj' of 1,500 cases. In 1891, under an 
agreement with the Kodiak Packing Company, in the same locality, the cannery of 
the latter company was closed and its quota of fish packed in the Arctic cannery. 
This cannery is the only one now operated in the vicinity of what is locally called 
the " south end." 

In 1897 the company employed 25 white fishermen, 7 white cannery-hands, 10 
natives, and 57 Chinese. The apparatus consisted of two drag seines each 250 fath- 
oms long by 120 meshes deep, and two drag seines each 200 fathoms long by 100 



158 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

meshes deep, one drag seiuo 100 fathoms long by 80 meshes deep; all mesli 3-incli. 
The vessels in the service of the compauy were the steamer Aleut, of 19 tons, with a 
erew of 4, aud valued at $10,000; the bark Kate Davenport, of 1,175 uet tons, char- 
tered and used as a trausi)ort; three lighters, valued at $250 each; 1 seine boats at 
$150 each; 4 scows at $100 each, aud 10 dories at $20 each. 

The eijuipmeut statistics for ISOO are the same as for 1897, except that the bark 
Goryphene, of 771 tons, was chartered for transportation. 

The pack for 1896 was made from June 11 to August 28, and consisted of 23,155 
cases of redflsh, averaging 12 to the case. No other fish were packed. The pack for 
1897 was made from June 9 to August 29, and consisted of 513,000 redfish, making 
37,401 cases, or an average of 13.7 lish to the case. No other fish were packed, and 
none salted. 

The Kodiak Packing Com|)any in 1889 built a cannery in Snug Harbor, a cove in 
the passage connecting Olga Bay with Alitak Bay, and operated it in 1889 and 1890. 
In 1891 its quota of lish was packed in the cannery of the Arctic Packing Company. 
It entered the pool formed by the Alaska Packing Association in 1892, and in 1893 
became a member of the Alaska Packers' Association. The same year the machinery 
was moved to Karluk, where some was utilized aud some held in reserve. It is now 
dismantled. 

UVAK BAY. 

Uyalv Bay makes into Ivadiak Island on the northwestern side, about the middh' 
of its length, and is an extensive sheet of water with ramifying arms, one reaching 
within a short distance of the southern coast of the island. On the western shore, 
near the entrance and about 18 miles from Karluk, is Uyak Anchorage. It is an 
excellent hai-bor, formed by the main shore of Ivadiak Island and Bear aud Harvester 
islands, and is fre(]uently used as an anchorage by cannery ships and the steamers 
from Karluk during bad weather. Here, on the main shore, are located two canneries. 

The cannery of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company is the southernmost of tlie 
two, and was built in the spring of 1897, making a pack the same year. It has a 
capacity of 800 cases a day. 

In 1897 the company employed 40 white fishermen, and in the cannery were 20 
whites and 60 Chinese. Six drag seines, from 100 to 300 fathoms long, all 3inch mesh, 
and valued at about $1.50 per fathom, were used; also one purse seine, 300 fathoms 
long, valued at $1,000. The vessels employed were the steamer Golden Gate, of 50 
tons, with a crew of 5, and valued at $20,000; the launch Beaver, of 5 tons, with a 
crew of 2, and valued at $4,000; 2 lighters worth $350 each; 5 seine boats worth $100 
each, and 15 dories worth $25 each. 

From July 3 to September 15 the company packed 17,000 cases of redfish, averag- 
ing 12 to the case. The fish were taken as follows: From Karluk, 90,000; Waterfalls 
and Slide, 65,000; Little River, 6,000; Uganuk, 1,000, and Alitak, 42,000. The total 
number of redflsh used was about 204,000. 

The cannery of Hume Brothers & Hume is the northern one at Uyak Anchorage, 
and was built in the spring of 1897, making a pack the same year. It has a capacity of 
800 cases a day. In 1897 it employed 75 white fishermen, aud 32 whites and 60 Chinese 
around the cannery. They used 3 gill nets, 200 fathoms long, 30 meshes deep, 6iuch 
mesh, valued at 65 cents per fathom; 6 drag seines, 200 to 300 fathoms long, 100 fo 
125 meshes deep at bunt, valued at $1.75 jier fathom. Their vessels were the steamer 
Equator (changed from schooner of same name), 40 tons, crew of 7, valued at $10,000; 



Bull. U. S F. C, 1898. iTo face page 158.) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



1511 



Ibe bark Harvester, 716 tons, crew of 12, valued at $7,500; 2 lighters at $350 each; 12 
seine boats at $100 each. The number of fisherujen and cannery hands seems large 
for a small cannery, but it is the number given by the company. Some of the 
hands from their plant at Chigiiik may have been brought here and credited in error, 
to both canneries. 

From June 14 to September 15 the firm packed 109,824 redfish, making 13,375 
cases, an average of 12.7 flsh to the case. Of this number 5,000 fisli were taken in gill 
nets, and the rest in seines. They were taken at the Waterfalls and Slide, Ugunuk, 
Little liiver, Ked River, and Ayagulik, all on Kadiak Island. 

A few small streams carrying salmon flow into Uyak Bay and its branches, but 
none is known to carry redtish. 

LARSKN BAY. 

Five miles southeast from Uyak Anchorage is a narrow arm called Lar.sen Bay. 
It is 4 miles long, with a general east northeast and west-southwest direction. Imme- 
diately within the entrance, on the 
northern shore,is the site of thecan- 
nery of the Arctic Packing Com- 
pany, which was built in 1888, and 
operated in 1888, 1889, and 1890,but 
which has been closed since the lat- 
terdate. In 1891, uuderthe Karluk 
River Fisheries, its (piota of lisb 
was packed in the cannery of the 
Kodiak Packing Company at Kar- 
luk. In 1892 it entered the i>ool of 
the Alaska Packing Association, 
and in 1893 it became a member of 
the Alaska Packers' Association. 
In 1896 the available machinery 
was removed and utilized in the 
construction of the cannery at 
Ugauuk. All that remains of the 
cannery is a large building used as 
a warehouse, the wharf, and a few 
sheds. A watchman is retained to 
look after the buildings, as the site 
has not been abandoned. When 
the cannery was operated the tish 
were obtained from Karluk, Little 
River, Waterfalls, and Slide, 
ot more than 5 or miles to Karluk Lake, 




Sca/c. ■/ /Yau// \ra//v//^ 



K 'A y^ 

Sketch of Vicinity of Little River. 



From the head of Larsen Bay it is 
which a party of five attempted to reach and failed 

LITTLE RIVEE. 

Little River, one of the fishing stations just mentioned, empties into Shelikof 
Straits about a mile to the westward of Cape Ugat. Flume Bros. & llume and the 
Pacific Steam Whaling Company canneries at Uyak fished here in 1897, and havefish- 
huuses located on the beach. The formation of the mouth of the river is similar to 
that at Karluk, but ou a smaller scale. There is a small lagoon formed by a shingle 



ino 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



and bowl'lery spit closing up a valley running .south-southeast and north-northwest. 
The lagoon is three- fourths of a mile wide along the spit, with open water extending 
three-eighths of a mile from it. The stream flows into the lagoon through several 
channels, forming a number of grassy islands. Above this the stream flows witli little 
current through bottom land having a few patches of alders, which, a mile from the 
beach, narrows to one-eighth of a mile. The bottom of the stream is fine sand and 
gravel, and the shores are grassy but without beaches. The top of the spit is about 
8 feet above the lagoon, and at the eastern end is the outlet, 30 feet wide, and running 
in a rapid to the straits, 

UGANUK BAY. 

TJganuk Bay is the next to the eastward of Uyak. From the lower end of the 
western bay three arms make off, which we have called the northeast, east, and south 
arms, respectively. At the junction of the east arm with the bay, on a sand and 




Cannery at Uganuk Bay. 

shingle beach on the northern shore, the cannery of the Alaska Packers' Association 
is located, and at the head of the arm is the redfish stream from which it draws its 
supply of salmon. For several years a saltery was operated by Mr. Oliver Smith in a 
bight on the southern shore of the east arm, a mile within the entrance. This was 
sold to the Association in 1897, and is now closed. 

The Uganuk cannery of the Alaska Packers' Association was built during the 
spring of 1890, on the point forming the northern entrance to the east arm. The mate- 
rial used in its construction was largely from the cannery building of the Eussian 
American Packing Company moved from Afognak, and the machinery is that which 
was available from the canneries of the Eoyal Packing Company at Afognak and the 
Arctic Packing Company at Larsen Bay (Uyak). The capacity of this cannery is 



ull. U, S F. C 1898. (To face page 160.1 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



161 



ir/" 



1,400 cases a day. It made a pack iu 1S96, and commenced to pack in 1S'J7, but was 
closed early in the season on account of a failure iu the run of fish, and the employees 
were transferred to Karluk, wliere tliey assisted iu making the i)ack. This cannery 
is in the Karluk district of the Alaska Packers' Association. 

In 1896 it employed L'O white fishermen, 12 wliite cannery-hands, 16 iiiitives, and 
70 Chinese. It had one trap across the mouth of the river, valued at $300; 2 drag 
seines, each 350 fathoms long, 125 meshes deep, 3-inch mesh, valued at $1.50 jier 
fathom. The station was attended hy the Karluk steamer when necessary, and the 

transportation was done by Karluk vessels. It 
used 8 lighters valued at $200 each, 7 scows 
valued at $00 each, and 10 dories valued at $20 
each. 

In 1897 the company em])loyed 20 white fisher- 
men, and at the cannery 12 whites and 90 (Jbiuese. 
Two floating traps were also used (described on 
page 150), valued at $1,500 each; also two drag 
seines, each 350 fathoms long, 125 meshes deep at 
bunt, 3-inch mesh, valued at $1.50 per fathom; 8 
lighters, valued at $200 each ; 7 scows, valued at 
$00 each, and 10 dories, valued at $20 each. The 

station was at- 
tended by the 
Karluk steam- 
er, and the 
transportatiou 
was done by 
vessels from 
the same i)lace. 
The com- 
pany packed 
21,005 cases of 
red fish in 1896, 
averaging 10 
to the case, 
from June 10 

Sketch of Ugamik Stroaiii. tO July 26. In 

1897 they packed 2,113 cases of redfish, averaging 10 to the case, from June 10 to 
July 13. As there was a failure in the run, the cannery was closed and the force 
moved to Karluk. 

At the time of our visit, August 10 to 14, all gear was stored and the cannery 
was in charge of a watchman, so we saw none of the fishing. From the salmon 
inspector's report for 1895, from the accounts of ditterent people connected with the 
fisheries here, and from personal inspection of the ground, the following information 
with reference to tliese fisheries was obtained: 

In 1896 some of the force from the cannery of the Alaska Improvement Company, 
at Karluk, and tlie fishermen of the Uganuk cannery fished these waters. Besides 
using drag seines, the former comjjany had a floating trap in the east arm, and the 
latter a net barricade almost entirely across the mouth of the river. 

F.C.B., 1898— 11 




162 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

Th(! liver at its mouth flows over tidal flats in an east-and-west direction for a 
distance of 2 miles, having an average width of half a mile. These flats are largely 
uncovered at low water, having two channels through them, one close to the northern 
shore and skirting the native summer village; the other, entering near the center of 
the width of the arms, turns sharply to the northward around the northern end of a 
large rocky and wooded island, when it turns again to the westward. From the 
northern end of the island a line of piling was driven across the flats and the mouth 
of the river to the northern shore of the arm, leaving an opening in the low-water 
channel, across which a gill net was stretched. 

The trap described on page 150 was about a mile west from this barricade, leading 
from the northern shore, with the pot in deep water in the arm proper. Captain 
rhiHii)S, of the Eevenue-Cutter Service, directed this trap to be removed, upon which 
the Alaska Improvement Company protested to the Secretary of the Treasury, and 
the matter was referred to the Department of Justice. The correspondence, decision, 
etc., will be found on pages 8 to 10, salmon inspector's report for 1896. 

In 18'J7 the Alaska Improvement Company replaced the 1S9G trap and i)laced a 
second floating trap, leading from a point near the saltery on the southern shore. 
This must have been quite half a mile long, and at the point where it was set must 
have extended across the middle of the arm. The two traps undoubtedly commanded 
the arm. Upon the sale of the property the traps were turned over to the i)ar- 
chasers. Neither took many fish, and it is not unlikely that the larger trap was 
improperly set; that is, the pot was arranged for fish coming downstream. No traps 
had been used iirior to 189(5. 

A party of five visited the lake at Uganuk. After a hard walk of five hour.s, 
covering a distance of about 12 miles, along sloping mountain sides, over grassy 
plains, through thickets of cottonwood, alder, and willow, and along bear trails, they 
reached a point on the lake about a mile within the outlet, but as the view of the lake 
to the southeast was cut ofl' by intervening ridges, it was determined to reach the head 
of the lake. After crossing the mountains bordering the southern side of the lake, 
and obtaining a photograph of the river valley to the east arm, the party followed a 
valley of gradual ascent which carried them to a lieight of about 1,200 feet above the 
lake, whence the head of the lake and two inflowing streams could be seen. The 
head of the lake was reached after about flve hours' walk from the first point. 

The lake is somewhat crescent-shaped, about 6 miles long in a northwest and 
southeast direction, and of an average width of about a mile. It lies throughout its 
length between two ridge like mountain masses which reach a height of 2,000 feet 
above its surface. The bsMiks are steep, precipitous in many i^laces, and heavily 
wooded to a height of 300 to 400 feet. There are numerous shelving beaches of gravel, 
black sand, and fine slate. The lake has the appearance of being very deep. At the 
southeast end are two inflowing streams about a quarter of a mile apart at the 
mouths; the larger one, flowing from the southeast, is about 40 yards wide, and 
the smaller one, flowing more from the eastward, is about 15 yards wide. From the 
toi) of the mountain the valley of the larger stream could be plainly seen for a distance 
of nearly 10 miles, the country, as far as could be seen, in this valley being heavily 
wooded with larger growth than nearer the coast. 

The bottoms of both inflowing streams are large, with sandy and gravelly beds. 
A number of redfish of a led color were seen m the stream in places where the water 



. U. S F. C 1898. (To face page 162.^ 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OE ALASKA. 163 

Howcd gently, and iu depths of 2 to 3 feet. In the hike a hirge iiiimber of saliuou 
indicated their presence by Jiiiupiug. At a point about 500 yards within the mouth 
of the inflowing stream from the southeast, it is from^ 30 to iO yards wide, with an 
average depth of li feet and a veloeity of 2 to 3 feet per second. 

At the northwest end is the lake outlet, which flows generally with considerable 
velocity through a wide river valley. It is well wooded, having along its banks dense 
thickets of alder and willow interspersed with large cottonwoods. About ■! iinles 
from its mouth a photograph was taken; here it is about 50 yards wide, li feet deep, 
and flows with a velocity of 3 feet per second. Its general course is to the northwest, 
and from the lake to the mouth is a distance of about 8 miles. From the mouth the 
river flows into the east arm through a wide tidal basiu at low water by two channels 
for a distance of 2 miles. About 3 miles above the mouth it receives a small tribu- 
tary, which is also an outlet to a small lake. 

In 1S9G the canneries took 365,850 redflsh from around the mouth of the stream. 
In 1897 the fisheries were a complete failure; the stream probably did not j-ield 
15,000 redfish. The Aleuts say this failure was due to the lack of snow. The rcdtish 
from Uganuk are highly jjrized by the canneries, as they are much larger thau the 
Karluk fish, running 10 to the case. 

Inaccessibility renders this site unfit for a hatchery. 

I may mention here the large number of bears infesting this region. Along the 
streams their trails cross and recross like the lines on a checkerboard. Ilalf-consumed 
salmon were seen everywhere, and quite fret^uently salmon were noticed whose life 
was not yet extinct, having been abandoned by bears that had been alarmed at our 
approach. 

AFOGNAK ISLAND. 

Afognak Island was not visited, because there is no cannery in operation at that 
jdace now. While it seemed desirable to see the stream, it has been fully described 
in I)r. Beau's report, pp. 185-188 and pp. 207-208, Bulletin ix, 1889, United iStates 
Fish Commission. I will therefore only refer to it iu connection with the brief 
histories of the canneries. 

Afognak is a large island northeast of Kadiak, and separated from it and Easp- 
berry Island by a narrow strait, which is much obstructed. On the southern side, 
near the western end, is Afognak Bay, which receives the waters of a lake outlet, aud 
was once a very good redfish stream. 

Mr. Livingston Stone examined this stream with especial reference to its adapta- 
bility for hatchery purposes, and in accordance with an act of Congress, approved 
March 3, 1891, the President, by proclamation of December 21, 1892, set aside 
"Afognak Bay, River, and Lake, with their tributary streams and sources thereof, 
and the lands including the same on said Afognak Island, aud within one mile from 
the shores thereof, as a reserve for the purpose of establishing fish-culture stations, 
jind for the use of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, the boundary 
lines of which include the head springs of the tributaries above mentioned, and the 
lauds the drainage of which is unto the same." 

The stream at Afognak has been much abused by barricades. The Russians 
built a zapor in the river which has been maintained by their descendants, first 
for their own use, and afterwards to supply the cannery. Although the place is 
reserved by the Government, I am told that it is still fished (1897) for cannery pur- 
poses. The value of this stream some years ago was from 10,000 to 15,000 cases a 
year. Its present value is unknown. 



164 BULLETIN OF THK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

The Itoyal Packing Company built a cannery in 18S9 at the head of Afognak Bay, 
on tlie Avestern side, three-fourths of a mile below the mouth of the river, and oper- 
ated it in 1889 and 1890. Under the agreement of the Karluk Kiver Fisheries in 1891, 
the (juota of fish for this canuery was packed in the cannery of the Karluk Packing 
Company at Karluk. It entered the pool of the Alaska Packing Association in 1892, 
and became a member of the Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. It has not been 
operated since 1890, and it is claimed that the President's i)roclamation of December 
2i, 1892, reserving the stream at Afognak, has caused the cannery to be closed and 
dismantled. In the spring of 1890 the available machinery was- moved to Uganuk, 
and in the building are now stored the boats and some gear of this cannery and of 
the Kussian-American. 

The Russian-American Packing Company was incorporated in December, 1888, 
and in 1889 built a cannery immediately above tliat of the Koyal, which was operated in 
1889 and 1890. In 1891, under the agreement of the Karluk lliver Fisheries, its quota 
of fish was packed in the cannery of the Alaska Improvement Companj' at Karluk. 
In 1892 it joined the pool of the Alaska Packing Association, and in 1893 it became a 
member of the Alaska Packers' Association. It has not been operated since 1890, and 
it is claimed that the President's proclamation of December 24, 1892, reserving the 
stream at Afognak, has caused the cannery to be closed and dismantled. In 1895 the 
available machinery was moved to the Ugashik (Sulima) Eiver, in Bering Sea, on the 
western side of the Alaska Peninsula, and utilized as a i)art of the machinery in a 
cannery built at that point by the Alaska Packers' Association, and operated in 1890 
and 1897. In the spring of 1896 the building was taken down and moved to Uganuk, 
and erected there for the cannery built that year by the Alaska Packers' Association. 
Nothing remains at Afognak of the Ilussian-American cannery except the boats, 
which are stored in the building of the Royal Packing Company. 

There is a redfish stream on Afognak Island, known as ^Malinof Eiver, which 
em])ties into Malinof Straits near its junction with Shelikof Straits. It has for years 
been heavily barricaded. 

CHIGNIK BAY. 

Chignik Bay, on the southern side of the Alaska Peninsula, is 150 miles west- 
southwest from Karluk, the position of one cannery in Anchorage Bay, an arm of the 
main bay, being in latitude olP 17' north, longitude 1-58^ 23' west. This is the next 
western locality after Karluk where canneries are now operated, and the westernmost 
outside of Bering Sea. 

The southeast point of Chignik Bay terminates in a high-turreted or castellated 
point called Tuliumnit Point or Castle Cape, having on its western side a large arm 
making to the southward, called Castle Bay. Passing this bay and continuing along 
the southern shore to the westward, four headlands are seen forming the terminal 
points of high ridges, and between them are shallow bights and sand beaches. These 
beaches have the appearance of spits inclosing lagoons or ponds. To the westward 
of the fourth ridge, and about 12 miles from Tuliumnit Point, a small, deep bay, 
known as Anchorage Bay, makes in on the southern shore. This is partially i)rotected 
by a sand-siiit, affording good anchorage in deep water for all winds, except from the 
north. Two canneries are located here, and the transporting vessels of all the Chignik 
Bay canneries make their anchorage at this point. 



- U. S. F. C. !898, I To face page 164) 




THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 1G5 

Coiitiiuiing to the westward, another shallow bay makes in ou the soutnerii shore, 
known as Doris Bay, locally called IVIiid Bay, which has an iuditferent anchorage off its 
mouth. Around the high, round, bold head next to the westward is the entrance to 
Chiguik Lagoon, in the extreme soutiiwest corner of Chignik Bay. Two canneries 
are located on this lagoon, and at the head is the mouth of the stream, from which 
all the canneries here and in Anchorage Bay draw their supplies of redflsh. 

In 1888 the Fishermen's Packing Company of Astoria, Oreg., sent a party to 
Ohigiiik Bay to prospect for fish, and they returned in the fall of that year with l.',U)0 
barrels of salt salmon. 

The Chignik Bay Company's cannery was built aud operated in the si)ring of 
1889 by the Fishermen's Packing Company of Astoria on the eastern shore of Chiguik 
Lagoon, lii miles from the entrance. As this cannery is freijuently referred to as the 
"Scandinavian," resulting in some confusion, it may be mentioned that prior to the 
building of this cannery the Fishermen's Packing Company purchased the property 
of the Scandinavian Packing Company of Astoria, and also built the cannery of the 
Alaska Packing Company on the Xushagak. 

The Shumagin Packing Company, composed of capitalists from Portland, Oreg., 
built a cannery on Chignik Lagoon in 188!), near that of the Chiguik Bay Company, 
and operated it that year, and tiie same year the Chiguik Bay Packing Company, of 
San Francisco, built and operated a cannery near the two just mentioned. Though 
these three canneries were built by different companies, they soon became closely 
allied and Mnally combined into one organization, so that the history of one is practi- 
cally that of all. The operating agreement of these three canneries was successfully 
carried out in IS'.Kt and 1891. In 18913 they all joined the pool of the Alaska Packing 
Association, and the cannery of the Chignik Bay Company alone operated. In 1893 
they became members of the Alaska Packers' Association. 

Since 1891 only the Chignik Bay Company's cannery has been operated. The 
Shumagin building has been moved alongside that of the Chignik Bay Company 
aud the nuichiuery consolidated, so as to form practically one large cannery, with a 
capacity of 2,G00 cases per day, which is operated, aud erroneously called the Chignik 
Bay Packing Company. It is really the Chignik Bay Company, for the cannery of the 
former is in such condition that it can be operated independently on sliort notice, and 
is held as a reserve. It has a capacity of 1,500 cases a day. 

In 189(i the Chiguik Bay Company employed 73 white tishermen and 3 white 
coal-miners; in the cannery were 13 whites and 158 Chinese; 33 luitives were kept at 
various employments. The company used 3 gill nets, 150 fathoms long,,(5^-inch mesh, 
valued at 65 ceuts per fathom; 9 traps, 1,350 feet long, at $1,000 each; 5 drag seines, 
200 fathoms long, 3-inch mesh, 100 meshes deep at bunt, at $1.50 per fathom. 

The vessels and boats were the steamer A/ognalc, of 38 tons, with a crew of 9, 
and valued at $15,750; the stern-wheel steamer Baby Ruth, of 10 tons, with a crew 
of 3, and valued at $4,500; 7 lighters, valued at $500 each; 10 trap scows, at $200 
each; 2 pile-drivers, at $650 each ; 12 seine aud gill- net boats, at $125 each. The ship 
Llewellyn J. Morse, of 1,271 net tons, valued at $25,000, with a crew of (ishernieu, 
was used as a transjjort. 

In 1897 the employees consisted of 57 white-flshermen, 3 coal-miners, 13 white 
cannery-hands, and 103 Chinese. The fishermen used 3 gill nets, ea(;h 150 fathoms 
long, valued at ti5 cents per fathom; 10 traps, averaging 1,350 feet long, valued at 
$1,000 each; 5 drag seines, each 200 fathoms long, Sinch mesh, valued at $1.50 per 



166 



]U'I,LETIN OF THE UNITKD STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



fatboiii. The vessels aud boats were the steamer Afoynak, of 3S tons, with a crew of 
9, and valued at $15,750; the stern-wheel steamer Bahy Ruth, of 10 tons, with a crew 
of 3, and valued at $4,500; the ship LUn-eUyn J. Morse,of 1,271 net tons, valued at 
$^.5,000, with a crew of fishermen; S lighters, valued at $350 each; 10 trap scows, at 
$200 each; 3 pile-drivers, at $050 each; 12 seine and gill-net boats, at $125 each. 
The following shows the pack of the Chignik Bay Company for 18'J6 and 1807: 



Tear. 


Species. 


Nnmber 
of cases 
packed. 


ATCrage 
number 
offish 
per case. 


Bat* of packing. 


1896 




37, 893 
7.388 
2,204 
•870 

36, 834 
942 


10 
12 
U 


June 16 to Aim. 25. 

Do. 
Aug. 18 to Sept. 25. 
Aug. 5 to Sept. 1. 
June 8 to Aug. 27. 
Aug. 1 to Aug. 27. 
July 31 to Aug. 25. 


1897 








Eedflsh 


12.4 
11 















I record of Icing salmon, though a fcv 



! probaldy parked and ( 



itli the cnhocs 



Hume Bros. & Hume built a cannery on the eastern side of Ancliorage Bay in the 
spring of 1896, and made a pack that year and iu 1897. Its capacity is 800 ca.ses per 
day. In 1896 they employed 40 white fishermen, 20 white canuery-hands, 91) Chinese, 
including boss, tester, and cook. Ten gill nets were used, each 200 fathoms long, 
OJ-inch mesh, 40 meshes deep, valued at 75 cents per fathom; also 2 traps, 150. and 
200 fathom leads, 40 feet square pots, web 3-inch mesh, valued at $1,200 each; 3 drag 
seines, 100 fathoms, 200 fathoms, and 250 fathoms in length, the larger ones 100 
meshes deep at bunt, and all valued at $1.50 per fathom. 

The vessels aiul boats were the steamer Florence Hume, of 8 tons, with a crew of 
2, and valued at $3,000; the bark Leon, with a crew of 12, and valued at $7,000; the 
schooner Equator, of 69 tons, with a crew of 6, and valued at $6,000; 4 trap scows 
at $100 each; 1 sail scow at $500; 4 lighters at $350; 10 gillnet boats at $200 each; 
8 skiffs, etc., at $25 each. 

In 1897 the company employed 55 white fishermen, 10 white cannery-hands, and 65 
Chinese, including boss, tester, and cook. The same equiiuneiit was used as in 1890, 
except 5 traps instead of 3, and instead of the bark Lcou the bark Ferris <S'. Thomimm, 
of 514 net tons, with a crew of 11, and valued at $7,500, was used as a transport. 

The following shows the packs of Hume Bros. & Hume's cannery at Anchorage 
Bay for 189G and 1897 : 



Kedfish from Chignik Bay. 

Keflflsh from Karluk 

Cohoes , 

Humpbacks 

Eedfish 



Number 
of cases 
packed. 



Number 

offish per 
case. 



JJate of picking. 



June 16 to All''. 25. 

Do. 
Throughout seaaoii. 
July 20 to Aug. 20. 
Juiio 12 to Aug. 12. 



In 1896 nearly all the Chignik Bay iish were taken in seines, aud only 3,500 in 
trai)S. A few king salmon were salted for personal use. 

In 1S97 the fish were all taken at Chignik Lagoon or off the entrance, in the pro- 
portion of 4 in the gill nets, "2 in traps, and 1 in seines. No other fish were canned, 
smoked, or salted, and none were purchased. 

The Pacific Steam Wlialing Company in the spring of ISOf) l)uilt a cannery on the 
eastern shore of Anchorage Bay, one-fonrth of a mile south of the Hume cannery, and 



THE SAT-MON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



167 



made a pack that year and iu 1897. Its capacity is 800 cases per day. In 189G it 
employed 30 wliito fisbermeu, 15 white camiery-haiids, and 58 Chinese. Its nets 
included 5 traps, 40 feet square pots, with leads of 150 to 200 fathoms, valued at $1,100 
each; 2 drag seines, 250 fathoms long, 3inch mesh, valued at $1.50 per fathom. The 
vessels and boats employed were the steamer Snlnw, of 35 tons, with a crew of 4, and 
valued at $7,000; the bark J. I>. Peters, which carried the outfit to the station in 
April and called in the fall for the pack; 11 lighters and scows, valued at $50 to $150 
each; 1 pile-driver, valued at $050; 4 seine boats, valued at $00 each; and a number 
of dories, skill's, etc. 

In 1897 the company employed 00 white fishermen, 15 white cannery-hands, and 
58 Chinese. The remainder of the outfit nsed is the same as for 1896, except that 8 
traps, instead of 5, were in use, and 2 pile-drivers instead of 1. 

The following shows the pack of the Anchorage Hay cannery of the Pacific Steam 
Whaling Company for 1890 and 1897: 



Yefir. 


Species. 


Niimljer 
of cases 
packet). 


Number 
offish 
per case. 


Date of packing. 


Knniarks. 


1896.... 
1807.... 


Rcclfiali from Ohignik . 

RedtiahfromKarlak.. 


14, 000 
4,500 
90 
2,800 
125 
2,1, 500 

500 


10 
12 
U 
20 
3 
12 

20 


•Tune 18 to Aug. 25.. 


Taken In traps. 
Do, 
Do. 
Taken in seines. 

Do. 
About 1,500 redlish from K.arliik 
were not, iu condition for pack- 
ing anil were not used. 

A few taken, but not separately 
accounted for. 


July 18to AiiE. 15 .. 
July 20 to Aug. 20 .. 
Throughout season. 
June 9 to Aug. 15... 

July 20 to Aug. 13 .. 





















The Chinese contract differs slightly according to locality, and more largely 
according to the manner of making the pack. The contract for one cannery was 40 
cents per case for machine-filled cans and 45 cents for hand filled. The Chinese boss 
was paid $50 a month in addition to his lay, and the tester $50 a month without lay. 
Passage to and from San Francisco was free, but they found their own food and 
bedding, only water and salt being furnished Ity the vessel. (Quarters, fuel, water, 
and salt were furnished at the cannery. In all of the Alaska canneries the Chinese 
contract includes a guaranteed pack — that is, the cannery insures a pack of a certain 
number of cases; if it is not made, the Chinamen are paid the stipulated pack; if the 
jiack overruns, they are paid extra at the same rates. 

The contracts with the fishermen differ somewhat at each cannery, but tliey are 
usually made with the view of getting the largest number of fish and allowing the 
fishermen about $45 a month and board for G or 7 months. At one cannery in Chignik, 
in 189C, fishermen were paid $30 per month and one-fourth of a cent per case and 
board. They worked the vessel to and from the cannery. In 1897 the same cannery 
paid the Scandinavian fishermen the same rates as in 1890, but the Italians received 
$20 per month, $12.50 per 1,000 fish, and a per diem allowance of 35 cents per man 
for a ration. The boss iishermau had an extra $125 for the season. Nearly tlie same 
rates arc made at all the canneries here. 

Nearly all the fish packed in the canneries located on Chignik Bay are taken in 
Chignik Lagoon and the immediate vicinity. In 1890, on account of the very large 
run at Ivarluk, the canneries there could not handle all the fish taken on the spit — 
that is, they did not have outfit enough — and fish to the amount of about 20,000 cases 



168 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

were sent to tbe Ohigiiik canneries; but this was exceiJtioual, and was stopped bj 
order of the salmon inspector. Occasionally a cannery steamer will visit the stre.ams 
between Tuliumnit Point and Kupreanof Point and secure a load of humpbacks. 

CHIGNIK LAGOON. 

Chignik Lagoon is in the extreme S!>utliwest corner of C3hignik l>ay ami is joined 
to that bay by an outlet one-fourth of a mile wide, contracted at this point by a nar- 
row sand-spit about 1^ miles long, which makes directly across from the western shore. 
The main body of the lagoon is Oi miles long, with a general southwest direction, and 
at the southwest end has a narrow extension, 1 J miles long, into which the river flo"3rs. 
Within the spit, at the entrance, it is IJ miles wide, opening out to li miles at the 
Alaska Packers' Association canneries, and 1 mile beyond it attains a width of 2 miles. 
Four miles from the entrance is an island, GOO feet high, which contracts the lagoon 
on the side leading to the river to three fourths of a mile. Southeast from this island 
are great nuid-tlats which are covered at high water. At a distance of Oi miles from 
the entrance the lagoon contracts to one fourth of a mile, and a mile beyond it narrows 
to ]00 yards. The upper trap is located here, and one-fourth of a mile beyond is the 
coal mine. In this locality the water is usually fresh, and the mouth of the river is 
practically in the vicinity of the upper traji. 

The lagoon is shallow, the greater i)art uncovering at low water, exposing grassy 
flats, with a channel running along the eastern side as far as the cannery, where it 
breaks around a grassy middle ground, unites at the island, and continues to the river. 
One mile below the island the channel narrows to 100 yards, with a depth at low water 
of 4 feet. Above the island the flats ai'c not so much exposed, but the channel is 
shoaler, 2 J to 3 feet being the best water through it at low tide. From the cannery 
the channel is buoyed. Bowlders brought down by the ice dot the flats here and there. 

Outside the lagoon entrance tbe main channel is along the eastern shore, carrying 
about 3 fathoms at low water. There is also a narrow, shallow channel outside and 
along the spit, carrying 3 feet at low water, which separates the spit from a fan-shaped 
shoal, 1:1 miles long, which uncovers at low water and has a greatest width of three- 
lonrths of a mile. At high water a small part of this shoal, near the spit, is just 
visible. Immediately within the entrance the water is deep and the banks are steep. 

CHIGNIK RIVER. 

Chignik liiver empties into the arm of the lagoon at its southwest end, and is 
estimated to be (i miles in length, with an average width of 100 yards. The bottom 
is rocky and gravelly. High water, neap tides, extends to the coal mine, which is 
practically the mouth of the river, and high-water, spring tides, extends to the first 
lake, affecting the lake at the outlet a few inches. The dei)th in tbe river is such 
that a boat can ascend only at high water. At low water the current is very strong 
and forms many rapids. 

There are two lakes. The first is about 10 miles long and of unknown depth. 
The banks in places are precipitous, in others sloping. In the latter localities tbe 
shore shelf is of sufficient width to jjermit gill netting, and then drops off' suddenly. 
A number of snnill streams enter, but none except the second lake connection is of 
considerable size. 

A shallow shifting arm, from 100 to .'>00 yards wide, leads through an extensive 
bog at the head of the lake, for a distaiu-e of 10 miles, to a second lake. The bog is 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 169 

black volcanic inud and probably the result of filling an old lake bed, which may have 
formed another lake connection in early times. The second lake is nearly of equal 
size with the first, but is shallow, with muddy bottom, the water here inclining to be 
muddy, while the water in the first lake is clear. A large part of the banks are low, 
but tliere are some bluffs on the northern side which continue some distance. A 
number of small streams enter the lake, and one of considerable size Hows in from 
the northwest. 

The redflsh in immense numbers are said to spawn along the shore shelf of the 
first lake and in the mouths of the entering streams. A few redflsh and more cohoes 
make their way into the second lake. Dog salmon and humpbacks spawn in these 
lakes, but they also enter the small streams that flow iiito the lagoon. Sculpins, 
l)erch, and other fresh-wat(;r fish occur. In the stream above the traps there are 
no obstructions. Formerly fishing was carried on over the spawning-beds, but this 
method is now abandoned. While all the species of Pacific salmon enter the lagoon 
and river, yet those other tlian redfish are so few in number that they are not consid- 
ered in the pack. In relative abundance they stand as follows: Redfish, humpbacks, 
cohoes, dog, and king. No steelheads are taken here. 

Chignik Eiver is essentially a redflsh sti-eam, and the canneries may be said to 
pack only redfish. Occasionally a few humpbacks are packed, but they are obtained 
principally from streams between Tuliumnit Point find Kupreauof Point. The pack 
of king and cohoes never exceeds a few hundred cases from Chignik Eiver. The few 
that are taken are generally used on the cannery table and the bellies salted for home 
use, while the backs maybe ])acked under some different brand. Other fish are taken 
to a small extent. 

The run of redflsh commences the first days of .Tune (a few were taken in 1897 for 
local use on May 15), and continues until the last of August. The run is usually con- 
sidered large enough to pack from the middle of June to the middle of August. 
Cohoes run from the middle of July until after the cannery clo.ses; the watchmen say 
until November. Humpbaclcs run from July 20 to September 1, and dog salmon about 
tlie same time, though both are found scattering throughout the season. The king 
salmon run in vei'y small numbers, and are taken about the same time as the redflsh. 

A very small salmon, weighing about 2 pounds, is recognized here as a different 
species, and called the Arctic salmon, but it is probably only a small redfish. 

The weighing of 100 redfish from the bin gave the following results : Average G.24 
l^ounds, heaviest 10 pounds, lightest i pounds; average length 21 inches, largest 28 
inches, smallest 21 inches. The i-ed salmon in 1897 M^ere said to run very small, 12 to 
the case; in 189G they were larger, about 10 to the case. 

One hundred cohoes were also weighed : Average 0.44 pounds, heaviest 10 pounds, 
lightest 2i ijounds; only one of each of these extremes, and a better range would be 
from 4i to 9 pounds. Average length 23i inches, greatest 28 inches, least IS inches- 
The cohoes were running very small at the time of our visit, as it was the early part 
of the run, July 29. 

The dog salmon run larger; that is, the average is higher, as there seemed to be 
few small ones. The humpbacks averaged about 3i pounds in weight. The average 
weight of the king salmon at Cliignik is unknown, but they were said to run very 
small for that species, though individuals weighing 00 pounds are reported to have 
been taken. 



170 



BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



The fish are taken in traps, seines, and gill nets, and transported to the canneries 
on large lighters or fish-scows. It is said that the water is too clear for gill nets, and 
in 1897 they were not nsed by the Alaska Packers' Association or the Pacific Steam 
Whaling Company canneries, yet the FTnine cannery seems to have been very successful 
with them. Traps are principally nsed here, and form the great bone of contention. 
At the time of our visit, .Inly 29 to August 2, there were five traps outside the 
entrance to the lagoon, two just inside, and sixteen from the island to the head of 
the arm. They usually consist of a pot 30 to 40 feet square, with a heart and V-shaped 
leaders from 300 to 1,500 feet long, arranged with tlie apex up stream. The mesh of 
pots is 3-inch, and of leaders usually 4-inch. They are nowhere placed entirely across 
the main channel in the lagoon, but tliere are two or three which close up the shallow 
channel along the spit on the outside. lu passing up the lagoon it seems almost 




iiik Lagoon Trap. 



impossible for any flsli to reach the river, for it looks as though a forest of traps 
obstructed the whole passage. With two exceptions, one end of tlie leader is connected 
with the high-water mark on shore. 

The leaders or wings consist of nets hung on the upper side of rows of piles driven 
in a V shape, with a small opening in the upper end. This opening varies from 4 to 8 
feet. The heart is formed by piles driven in an irregular box shape, inclosing the 
ends of the leaders. The nets are hung on the upstream side and, like those of the ends, 
are made fast at the top only, the bottom being weighted. They reach from above 
high water to the bottom. The pot is above the heart and is a s(iuare net bag, hauled 
out to piles at the coruers, above and below, by ropes running through blocks. On 
its lower side is the gate, which is the entrance from the Iieart to the xiot. It is a 7iet 
stretched on framework, or having a frame at each end, the upper end being much 
smaller than the lowei-. It is G to 10 feet wide at its lower end, l.i to 2 feet wide at its 



THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 171 

upper end, depending on the size of the trap. The top of the gate varies in its dis- 
tance above low water, as does the bottom at the upper end below low water, depend- 
ing ou the depth of water at the pot. The trap fishes during ebb tide only, the loose 
bottom allowing it to clear itself of most of the grass during flood tide. The fish are 
taken out just after low water. The upper end of the gate is triced up, one side 
of the pot lowered, and a boat Avorked sideways into the pot, the lines holding the 
bottom corners being let go, and the net underrun until the fish are in a small space 
between the boat and the other side of the pot. They are then either scooi)ed out 
with a scoop net having a handle balanced on the gunwale of the boat or are hooked 
out with a short hook on a handle about 2 feet long. If cod, flounders, etc., are 
numerous enough to interfere, they are hooked out; if not, the upper end of the net is 
let go and the flood tide clears the pot. Four men are required for each of the larger 
-traps. Their priucijial work is to keep the traps as free as possible from grass and 
to repair breaks in the net caused by the weight collected, as well as to replace piles 
carried away in the deeper water by the strong tide. The traps are taken up after 
the fishing season is over, and changes are constantly made in their size and arrange- 
ment during the fishing season. 

Seines are hauled on the flats southwest of the islaiul, and on the western shore 
opposite, where a gill-net crew is also located. The shores are usually rocky or grassy 
flats. The outside beach on the spit is fine sand and gravel. 

It is evident to anyone who examines Chignik Lagoon during the packing season 
that the place is overfished. For many years one organization fished here and made 
a pack averaging (31,400 cases, from 1890 to 1896. In the latter year two more 
canneries were built by rival companies, and all expect to make the pack from the 
l)roduct of one stream. The result is that all kinds of i^ractices are resorted to, and 
the overtaxed stream must suffer by this excessive fishing. The traps are so close 
together and 0(!cupy so much of the channel that they look almost like barricades, 
but the stream is not entirely barricaded, probably because all would not be benefited 
alike. In some instances the tunnels or gates of the traps are lifted during the 
weekly close season, and in others they are not. 

Locally it is said that the stream will stand a yearly pack of 100,000 to 150,000 
cases. In my opinion 50,000 cases is all that can be taken here by fair legal fishing. 
In 1S90, 87,769 cases were packed; in 1897, 74,159 cases. The 1896 pack, however, 
included about 20,000 cases of Karluk fish, and in both years a small pack of hump- 
backs from other localities was made. When the redfish cease to run in sufficient 
numbers for packing, about the middle of August, the Chignik canneries clean up and 
close for the season. 

ORZENOY. 

Ill 1889 a cannery, under the title of the Western Alaska Packing Company, was 
built at Crzenoy, on the western side of Stepovak Bay, south side of the Alaska 
Peninsula, and packed that year 0,400 cases. In 1890 a pack of 2,198 cases was made. 
As the locality jiroved unfavorable on account of the scarcity of fish, the cannery was 
dismantled in 1891 and the site abandoned. 

THIN POINT. 

Thin Point is on the southern side of the Alaska Peninsula, near its extreme 
western end. Two canneries were formerly located here, but they have been removed 
and the site is practically abandoned. A saltery was operated at Thin Point for 



172 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

several years, until the Thin Point Packing Company was organized by Messrs. Louis 
Sloss & Co., of San Francisco, and the cannery was built iu 1889. It was operated in 
1889, 1890, and 1891, and was closed after that date. In 1890 the cannery ship Oneida, 
en route for Thin Point, was lost on tlie Sannaks in April; there were 77 Chinese on 
board and nearly all perished. A small pack of 2,401 cases was made that year. In 
1892 it entered the pool of the Alaska Packing Association, and in 189.'3 became a 
member of the Alaska Packers' Association. In 1894 the cannery was moved to the 
Naknek IMver, Bering Sea, and utilized in the construction of the cannery of the 
Arctic Packing Company. 

The Alaska Packers' Association operated a saltery at Thin Point in 1894, 1895, 
and 1896, but the place is now abandoned. 

The cannery of the Central Alaska Company moved to Thin Point in 1890 from 
Little Kayak Island, and has already been referred to. 

The main stream fished by these canneries is near at hand, on the eastern side of 
the point. There are two lakes near the sea, said to be well adapted for hatchery 
purposes. The stream is very uncertain; some years a large pack can be made from 
it, and then for a number of years the run is snuill. A person who had operated one 
of the canneries stated that the stream would yield at least 50,000 large redfish, and 
usually a larger number. As the place had been abandoned, it was not visited. 




CHIGNIK LAGOON, 

CHIGNIK BAY, WESTERN ALASKA. 

U S r C S" -ALBATROSS- 
Ueut Commander Jtff P Moser US N , Com'dj 



fy ^i€ul. J FM'-G»inn*i&U^n July t897. 




Bull. U. S. F. C. 1898. (To fac« page 17}.) 



Plate 63. 



CHIG NIK LAGOON. 

CHIGNIK BAY, WESTERN ALASKA. 



USr.C S" ALBATROSS- 
Lieut CcmmaiKltr JrFt P Mosor USN.Com'dy 




Hot«. 

/ay« 0/ flats at Urn" rratir 

B^,y,d tlimntl- J/»« at Uw-rmUr 

• «.c./ic Sworn )r««iity Cwrnfy ' 



THK SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 173 



BERING SEA DISTRICT. 



The following brief histories and statistics of the Bering Sea canneries have been 
largely furnished by the Alaska Packers' Association, time not permitting a visit. 

From the table of percentages of packs for the ditt'erent districts, it will be seen 
that 35.2 per cent of the Alaska pack was made in Bering Sea in 1887. By the 
increase of canneries in other districts in 1888, and the still larger increase in 1889, 
the percentage of pack fell off' and reached its lowest i)oiut (13.4 per cent) in 1892. 
From that date the percentage of pack has gradually increased until, in 1897, it 
reached 28 per cent of the whole Alaska pack, of which over nine-tenths was packed 
by the Alaska Packers' Association. 

All the canneries in Bering Sea are located on the Xushagak, Kvichak, Nakuek, 
and Ugashik rivers, all emptying into Bristol Bay (see Chart B). 

NUSHAGAK RIVER. 

On the Nushagak there are four canneries, as follows: Arctic Packing Company, 
Nushagak Packing Company, Bristol Bay Canning Company, and Alaska Packing 
Company. There is also a saltery operated by C. B. Whitney & Co., which in 1897 
salted 2,130 barrels, principally redfish. 

In 1883 the schooner Neptune, with a party, prospected for salmon on the Nush- 
agak, and salted a large number. The same year cannery buildings were erected for 
the Arctic Packing Company, which was formed and commenced operations in 1884, 
making a pack of 400 cases that year. This was the first cannery operated in Bering 
Sea. It has made a pack every year to date, except iu 1892, when it joined the pool of 
the Alaska Packing Association and was closed. In 1893 it became a member of the 
Alaska Packers' Association. The cannery is located at Kanulik, on the eastern 
shore, at the mouth of the river, and about 3 miles above Fort Alexander. It has 
a capacity of 2,000 cases a day. 

The Alaska Packing Company built a cannery on the western shore of thelSTusha- 
gak, near the mouth, in 1880, and made a pack that year, as it has done every year 
since. It entered the pool of the Alaska Packing Association in 1892, and the Alaska 
Packers' Association in 1893. It is located near the village of Kauakanak, and has a 
capacity of 2,000 cases a day. 

The Bristol Bay Canning Comjiany built a cannery immediately above that of the 
Alaska Packing Company in 1886, and opei'ated that year and every year to date. 
It entered the ijool of the Alaska Packing Association in 1892, and of the Alaska 
Pacivers' Association in 1893. It has a capacity of 2,000 cases per day. 

The Nushagak Packing Company built a cannery on the eastern shore of the 
estuary at Nnshagak in 1888, at a jilace called Stugarok, 11 miles below Fort Alex- 
ander. It was operated in 1888, 1889, 1890, and 1891; it was then closed and has not 
been operated since. It joined the ijool of the Alaska Packing Association iu 1892 



174 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



aud became a member of the Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. It is in such con- 
dition that it can be operated at sliort notice, and is held as a reserve. Its capacity is 
1,500 cases per day. 

These canneries are all owned and operated by the Alaska Packers' Association, 
and are under one local niauagemeut. In 1897 they employed 144 white tishermen,38 
white cannery-hands, 300 Chinese, aud 40 uatives. Sixty gill nets were used, each 
125 fathoms long by 24 meshes deep; 120 gill uets, each 75 fathoms long by 24 lueshes 
deep ; 4 traps with 300 feet leaders. 

The following vessels were employed: 



Kig. 


Name. 


Net tou$. 


Crew. 


Value. 


steamer 

Launch 

Do 

Do 


Polar Bear 


29 

6 

6 

5 

1,637 

1,533 

632 


5 

2 

2 

2 

Fisbi^rmen. 

(0 

(?) 


$12, 000 
4,500 
3, 0011 
1,500 
30, 000 
Chartered. 
Do. 








Do 

Barkentine . . 

98 boats and 

lighters. 




WilUeR.HuDie... 











The following gives the output of the three canneries for 1897 : 



Kiug salnion . 

KedHsh 

Coboes 

Humpbacks . 



Total , 



18, 139 

1, 240, 080 

150, 000 

35, 348 



5.823 
88, 791 
10,119 

3,123 



Number 

of tiab 

per case. 



Of the above, the Bristol Bay Canning Company packed 34,117 cases, the ^Vlaska 
Packing Company 37,849 cases, aud the Arctic Packing Company 35,890 cases. 

The traps are used iu Wood Ki\er, which empties into the estuary above the 
canneries on the western bank: the gill nets are used iu the estuary where the water 
is muddy. No seines are used. 

KVICHAK EIVKK. 

To the eastward of the Nushagak and emptying into the head of Bristol Bay is 
the Kvichak, with one cannery and one saltery. 

The Prosper Fishing Company established a saltery at the mouth of the Kvichak 
iu 1894 and operated it that year and the following. It was sold in 1896 to the 
Alaska Packers' Association aud closed. 

Under the name of Point' Roberts Packing Company the Alaska Packers' Asso- 
ciation established and operated a saltery at Koggiung on the Kvichak Kiver in 1894, 
aud built a cannery the following year, utilizing iu its construction the available 
machinery from the cannery of the Central Alaska Comjjany at Thin Point. It was 
tirst operated in 1896, and also packed in 1897. It is said to have a capacity of 2,000 
cases per day. In 1897 the company employed 65 white fishermen, 10 white cannery- 
hands, 150 Chinese, and 25 natives. Twenty five gill nets were used, each 00 fathoms 
long by 30 meshes deep, and 4 traps, with the inside leaders 300 feet long aud outside 
leaders 250 feet long. 



THK 8ALJ10N AND >?ALMON FISHERIES OK ALASKA. 
The following vessels were employed: 



175 



Eig. 


Name. 


Net tons. 


Crew. 


Value. 






238 

5 

5 

1,529 

55« 


8 

2 

2 
yisheriiieu. 
"Fishermen. 


$49, Olio 
3,000 
2,0U0 
3(1, 0(10 
10, 000 






Bo 




Sbip 




Bark 




32 boats, lighters, anil scows. 





The following- is the pack for 1897: 



Species. 


Number 
offish. 


Number 
of cases 
packed. 


Number 

offish 

per case. 


Barrels 
salted. 1 




345 
760, 652 


126 

55, 382 


2.7 
13.7 






1,489 





NAKNEK RIVER. 

Nakiiek IMver empties iuto the upper part of Bristol Bay, about 20 miles below 
Koggiung. There are two cauneries at its mouth. 

The Arctic Packiug Company built and operated a saltery at Nakuek iii ISltO and 
sold it to the Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. The association in 1S94 built a 
cannery at the same place, utilizing the macliinery of the Thin Point Packiug Company 
in its construction. It was operated in 1895, 1896, and 1897, and has a capacity of 
1,800 cases per day. Salmon are also salted here. 

In 1897 the company employed 45 white fishermen, 10 white cannery-hands, 102 
Chinese, and 10 natives. They used 11 gill nets, each 70 fathoms long by 24 meshes 
deep; 34 gill nets, each 70 fathoms long by 22 meshes deep; 3 traps with leads of 175 
feet. The vessels employed were the lauucli R(dpli i., of 5 tons, with a crew of 2, and 
valued at §4,500; the bark 2Ieroi)i, of 1,159 net tons, with a crew of fishermen, valued 
at $16,000; the schooner Prosper, of 230 net tons, with a crew of fishermen, valued at 
$15,000; also 30 boats and lighters. The bark Merom made one trip on account of 
Karluk. 

The following gives the pack for 1897: 



Species. 



I Number 

of cases 

. packed. 



Number 
of fish 
per case. 



In 1890 Mr. L. A. Pederson established and operated a small saltery on the 
northern shore of the Naknek liiver near its mouth, and in 1894 the Naknek I'acking 
Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California, a cannery being 
built on the site of the saltery. The first pack was made in 1895, and operations were 
continued in 1896 and 1897. Salting is also carried on by this comitany. In 1897 an 
additional saltery was built on the shore of Bristol Bay about 2 miles above the mouth 
of the Naknek. The cannery has a capacity of 1,500 cases per day. 

In 1897 the company em^Dloyed 40 white fishermen and salters, 10 white cannery- 
men, 75 Chinese, and about 10 natives. The following was the equipment: 27 gill 
nets, each 100 fathoms long by 20 meshes deep, 6^-inch mesh, valued at 40 cents 



176 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 

per fathom; 3 gill nets, each 100 fathoms long by 20 meshes deep, 8^-inch mesh, valued 
at 40 cents per fathom; also 2 seiues each GO fathoms loug, 100 meshes deep at bunt 
and CO at ends, 3-inch mesh, worth $1.25 per fathom (used to empty trap); 1 double 
trap leading out 100 fathoms from beach in front of cannery, with two wings from the 
pot, 50 fathoms each in length, one up and the other down stream; width of pot, 20 
feet; value, $()00. 

The vessels and boats were tlie launch Emilia, of 5 tons, with a crew of 2, and 
valued at $1,200; the bark B. I'. Cheney, of 1,200 tons, with a crew of fishermen, and 
valued at $14,000; 1 lighter at $700; C lighters at $300 each; 1 pile-driver with 
engine valued at $300; 20 double-ended gill-net boats at $90 each. 

In 1896 the company employed 30 white fishermen and salters, G white cannery- 
hands, 62 Chinese, and 10 natives. The remaining statistics are about the same as for 
1897, except that the large lighter valued at $700 was new in 1897, and only IG gill- 
net boats and 22 gill nets were used. The bark Ferris S. Thompson, of 514 tons, was 
chartered for transport. 

The pack for 1897 consisted of 216,500 redflsh, of which 215,000 were taken in 
gill nets and 1,500 in traps, making 18,000 cases, or 12 fish to the case. 16,000 of these 
fish were taken outside, the remainder in the river. Packing began June 30, and 
finished August 1. At the saltery 501 barrels of redflsh were salted, 48 fish to the 
barrel, between July 1 and 14, and 99 barrels at the cannery. 

In 1896 8,600 cases were packed from July 2 to August 2, all redflsh, averaging 12 
to the case. 175 barrels of redfish were salted to order. 

The following redfish, running 48 to the barrel of 200 pounds, and all taken in the 
lower Nakuek River, have been salted by this company since the station was opened: 
225 barrels in IS'JO; 450 barrels in 1891; 1,100 barrels in 1892; 2,600 barrels in 1893; 
2,630 barrels in 1894; 200 barrels in 1895. 

EGEGAK FISHING .STATION. 

Egegak fishing station, also called Igagik and Ugaguk, is about 34 miles south 
of Naknek. In 1895 the Alaska Packers' Association established and operated a 
saltery at the mouth of the river, and have salted there each year since. In 1897 the 
company employed 10 white fishermen, 16 white saltery-hands, and 6 natives. Five 
gill nets were used, each 75 fathoms long by 26 meshes deep, and 2 traps with leads 
of BOO feet. Tlie vessels and boats were the launch Minnie, of 5 tons, with a crew of 
2, and valued at $1,600, and 9 boats and lighters. The three-mast schooner Freviier, 
of 292 tons, with a crew of fishermen, and valued at $15,000, was used as a transport. 

In 1897 this company salted 257 king salmon, making 15 barrels, and 203,458 
I'edfish, making 3,574 barrels. 

UGASniK RIVEE. 

The Ugashik, or Sulima Eiver, as it is sometimes called, is 70 miles south of Naknek, 
and is the most southerly station on Bristol Bay. There are two salteries and two 
canneries on this river. 

The Bering Sea Packing Company, a branch of the Alaska Imi)rovement Com- 
pany, but a separate corporation, built a cannery at Ugashik in 1891, and operated it 
that year. It was closed in 1892 and in 1893, and operated in 1894, 1895, and 1896. 
It was neither in the pool of the Alaska Packing Association of 1892, nor did it join 
the Alaska Packers' Association in 1893. It was purchased by the latter organization 



THE SALMON AND SALMON KISHEKIES OF ALASKA. 177 

ill the spriiig of 1.S97 and closed. It has a capacity of 1,200 cases i)cr day, and at 
preseut is held as a reserve. 

A salteiy was established and operated at Ugashik in 1893 by the Alaska Packers' 
Association, and continued as such in 1894 and 1895. lu the hitter year the associa- 
tion built a cannery, utilizing in its construction the available machinery from the 
cannery of the liussian American Packing Company at Afognak. It was operated in 
1S9G and 1897, and has a capacity of 1,800 cases per day. 

At the Ugashik fishing station in 1897, 59 white fishermen, 9 white cannery-hands, 
102 Chinese, and 21: natives were employed. Twenty one gill nets were used, each 75 
fathoms long by 21 meshes deep; also, one trap 150 feet inside leader, 80 feet outside 
leader, and 1 trap 250 feet inside leader, 80 feet outside leader. 

The vessels and boats were the steamer Thistle, of 55 tons, with a crew of G, and 
valued at !?25,000; the launch Cathie K, of 5 tons, with a crew of 2, and valued at 
$2,500; the bark Corypheae, of 771 tons, chartered; also 53 boats and lighters. 

The pack in 1897 consisted of 259 king salmon, making 11 cases (nearly all con- 
sumed fresh) ; 403,098 redfish, making 38,261 cases, or 12 to the case. 138 barrels were 
salted. 

Mr. C. A. Johnson established a saltery at Ugashik in 1889, and has salted every 
year to date. The names of Norton, Teller & Co., and Metso'i & Co. freciuently apjiear 
in connection with this saltery in the lists. They are sim^dy the saltery agents. 

Mr. Charles Nelson established a saltery at Ugashik in 1893, and operated it that 
year and in 1894. In 1895 it was sold to the Alaska Packers' Association and closed. 

TOGIAK AND PORT MOLLER. 

Togiak is on Togiak Bay, to the westward of Bristol Bay, between Cape Coiistan- 
tine and Cape Newenham. In 1895 the Alaska Packers' Association established a 
saltery here, which was operated in 1895 and 1896, and then abandoned. 

At Port Moller, on the northern side of the peninsula, in longitude 160° 40' W., 
Captain Herendeen salted salmon in 1886 or 1887. 

WAGES IN BERING SEA DISTRICT. 

The Chinese and fishermen's contracts for Bering Sea are similar to those referred 
to in other localities. The following for one cannery will give a fair idea of their 
value : 

The Chinese receive free transportation and furnished quarters (without bedding), 
fuel, water, and salt. They are paid 42 cents per case. The boss receives 850 per 
month in addition to his lay, and the tester receives the same. 

The fishermen receive $25 for working the vessel to the cannery and a like amount 
for taking her back. Two men form a gilluet crew, and the boat is paid 2 cents per 
fish. They are furnished everything except clothing, from the time they go on board 
the vessel until discharged. 

Saltery gangs are paid at the rate of $30 per mouth and 15 cents a, barrel (of 200 
pounds) for the gang collectively. 

The beach gang receives $40 per month per man, and, if detailed for fishing, in 
addition to this pay, receives i cent per fish. A cook and boy are i)rovided to run the 
mess. 

The natives are j^aid in various ways, but average from $1, the lowest, to $1.50 
per day. 

r. C. B., 1898—12 



17s BULLETIN i)F THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSSON. 

Tlie Berii)!^ Se;i season is short, and the pack must be made in from three to five 
weeks. The cans are usually carried to the canneries made up, and when the fish are 
running, work is continued day and night. The operations are carricnl on with no little 
danger. The tide rushes in and out of the head of Bristol liay with great velocity, 
and in the estuaries l)ores are formed, which have caused the loss of a number of lives. 
After the pack is comi)leted much difficulty is frequently experienced in loading it on 
the transporting vessel, on account of the strong currents and bad weather. 

The AlhatfosK visited the Nushagak in 1890, and spent some time there. The four 
canneries were in operation that year, and the Fish Commission report for 1880-1891 
gives considerable information as to the fisheries of the region, on pages 138-1-287. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



CiiAiM" A.— Dixoii Eutrauco to Heail of Lynn Canal, showing Luc? 

tli» principal Salmon Streania 

OiiAHT B.~Capo Suckling lo Hniuiak Pass, showing locations of Sain 

Salmon Streams 



To lare page. 
('3 and SalterioH an<l 



u\ tlm principal 



To face pag 
I'LATK 1. Falls in Stream at Skowl Arin, Kasaau Bay, 

Southeast Alaska 

2. Photographing under Difficulties, near Lor- 



Humpback Salmon from Stream at Head of 
Ugannk Bay 

Lake, West Brancli of Skowl Arm, looking 
up. SiJawuing-beds iii Stream, Skowl 
Arm , Kasaan Bay 

Cannery at Boca do Quadra. Salmon Salt- 
ery on Thorno Bay 

Salmon Saltery, Ketchikan 

Cannerj' at Loriug 

West Branch of Skowl Arm. Barrica<le in 
West Branch of Skowl Arm 

Barrier in Salmon Stream at Head of Nichols 
B»y. Barricade in Salmon Stream near 



Hes; 



, Second Barrier in Stream at Helm Bay. 

Dam in Outlet to Lake, Kedfish Bay 

, Barrier in Stream at Helm Bay 

. Old Fish-Lead in Stream at Karta Bay 

, Barrier in Stream at McDonald Bay. Fish 

Trap iu McDonald Bay 

, Barrier iu Stream entering First Inlet, south 

aide of Moira Sound. Indian Fish Trap 

and artificial Channel in Stream, First 

Inlet, south side of Moira Sound 

Barrier across Stream at North Arm, Moira 

Sound. Old Barrier Fences and Indian 

Fish Traps, Karta Bay 

Obstruction at Klakaa from above. Olwtruc- 

tiou at Klakas from below 

Totems at Kasaau Village. Cascade in 

Stream, Ketchikan 

Indian Grave and Totems, Klink wan 

, Oil and Guano Factory at Killisnoo. Gill 

net set by Natives, Lake Eyak 

Stream at M'Donald Bay, looking into Small 

Lake. Mouth of Stream draining Lake 

near Mink Arm, Boca de Quadra 

. Lake uoar Boca de Quadra 

Outlet of Lake near Mink Arm, Boca de 

Quadra. Kapids in Stream, Ketchikan . . . 
, Salmon Cannery, Mctlakahtla. Stream at 

Nichols Bay 

, Salmon Stream, east side, Port (Chester. 

Salmon Cannery, Hunter Bay 

, Lake at Nichols Bay. Looking up Lake 

from near Outlet 

. Lake at Hessa. View from near Outlet, 

looking toward Head 

, Outlet of Lake at Hessa 

. Outlet of Hetta Lake, from above 

, Kassook Lake, from Outlet 



To face page. 



Fishing Cam;), south side of Moira Sound. 
A Tribut;iry to Hetta Lake 

Widening of Stream draining large Lake, 
nortli side of Moira Sound. Spawning- 
beds in Stream near head of South Arm, 
Moira Sound 

Lake near Niblack Anchorage. View up 
Lake. Cascade in Stream draining Lake 
near Niblack Anchorage 

Lake No. 1, Dora Bay, looking toward Out- 



let. 



. LakeNo.2, Dora Bay, looking toward No. 1. 

. Lake near Karta Bay 

. Fishing Huts on Skowl Arm, Kasaau Bay. 

Stream at Dora Bay, looking out 

. Stream at Helm Bay 

. Cannery at Loring 

. Flat along Thorne Bay Stream 

. Head of Tidewater Stream at Thorno Bay. . 

. Stream at Thorno Bay 

. Waterfall in Stream at Duncan Canal about 
1 mile from mouth. Mouth of Stream, 

Duncan Canal, showing Gravel Beds 

. Kah-Sheots Stream. Stream at Loring 

Hatchery at Klawak. Cannery at Klawak . 
Cannery near Wrangell. View of Klawak, 

looking west 

, Cannery at Kedfish. Bay 

. Gorge at head of Hedlish Bay. Cascade 

near Hatchery, KedtisU Bay 

, Cannery at Pyramid Harbor 

, Killisnoo. YaUutat 

, Cannery at Orea 

. Cannery at Lake Eyak 

Saltery at Head of TJganuk Bay, Kadiak 
Island. Kear view of Cannery at Kus- 

silof, Cook Inlet 

. General View of Karluk, KaiUak Island, 
showing Spit, River, Lagoon, and Village. 
Outer Shore, Karluk Spit, Kadiak Island- 
View from East Hill 

Seining at Karluk. A. P. A. Cannery at 

Chignik Bay 

Unused Salmon Cannery at Tanglefoot liay. 

near Karluk 

Kedfish Hatchery at Karluk 

. Cannery at Uyak Bay 

Native Village on Uganuk Bay 

Summer Fishing Village on Stream at head 

of Uganuk Bay 

Pound Not iu Chignik Bay 

Salmon Cannery of Pacific Steam Whaling 

Company at Anchorage Bay 

Chignik Lagoou, Chignik Bay, Western 
Alaska 



ILLI'STIIATIONS TO ALASKA SALMON lilOl'OKT. 



TEXT CITTS. 



lied Salmon {Oiicorhynclius ncrka) 

King Salmon (Oncorliynclina tsehawj-tscha) 

Coho or Silvwr Salmon (Oncorliynchna kiautch) 

Humpback Salmon (Oncorhynclius gorbnscba). Sea- 
run 

Dog Salmon (Oncorhynclius kota) 

Steclhcail (Salmo gairilncri). Ailult 

Ked-tliroatod Trout (Salmo mykiss) . Adult 

Dolly Vardcn Trout (Salvolinus malma) 

Transport Ship at Cbignik 

Cannery at Cbilkat 

Fish Scow at Dock, Chignik 

Stern-wbecl Steamer used in towing Fishing Boats 
and setting Nets, Cbignik 

Cutting Machine 

Filling Macliine 

Topping Machine 

Soldering Machine 

Test Kettles 

Retorts and Test Kettles 

Cooling a Day's Pack 

Laoiner Room 

Red fish Hatchery at Karluk 

End view of Barricade, showing Method of Construc- 
tion ■. 

Catch of Halibut on deck of steamer Albatross, near 
Killisnoo 

Ch'aning Halibut on deck of steamer Albatross, near 
Killisnoo 

Halibut (Hippoglossus bippoglossus) 

Herring (Clupea pallasi) 

Sketch of Hunter Bay Lake System 



Page. 

Sketch of Klakas Stream and Lake 70 

Sketch of Nichols Bay Lake System 71 

Hessa Lake and Outlet 72 

Saltery at Kassook 70 

Sketch of Kogau ami Outlet 70 

Sketch of Vicinity of (Jld Johnson Stream 81 

Sketch of Nowi.sk-Kay Stream 82 

Sketch of Kithraum Stream • 84 

Sketch of Old Tom Stream 85 

Sketch of Brown &, Johnson Stream 80 

Skeleton of Floating Fish-house at Skowl Arm 87 

Sketch of KartaBay Stream 80 

Sketch of Helm Bay Stream 01 

NahaBay and Lakes 95 

Sketch of Yes Bay Stream and Lakes 98 

Sketch of Stream at head of Thorne Bay, taken at low 

water 101 

Cannery near "Wrangell 104 

Sketch of Kah-Sheets Stream 108 

Sketch of Klawak Stream and Lake 112 

Plan of Klawak Hatchery 114 

Sketch of Rcdfish Bay Lake 118 

Hatchery at Redfish Bay 119 

Sketch of Herring Trap at Kootznahoo Inlet 122 

Sketch of Vicinity of Orca and Odiak i:i3 

Skctcbof LakcEyak 135 

Fish-wharf on Lake Eyak 136 

Sketehof Kussilof River .ind Vicinity 142 

Sketch of Vicinity of Little River 159 

Cannery at Uganuk Bay 160 

Sketch "of Uganuk Stream 161 

Chignik Lagoon Trap •- 170 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Aberdeen Packing Co 10, 103 

Afosii.ik Island 16.T 

Alaska Coininorcial Co 144 

AlaskaFnr Trading Co 144 

Alaska "(ir.ipea" 123 

Alaska Herring 123 

Alaska Improvement Co 17,149,170 

Alaska Oil and (iu.ano Co 121-123 

Alaska Packers' Association 3, 4, 19, 20, 21, IfiT 

Alaska Packing Association ID 

Alaska Packing and Fur Co 17 

Alaska Packing Co 10, 141,173 

Alaska Salmon Canneries, Estaljlishmont of 10-21 

Alaska<Salmon District, Charts of 48 

Alaska Salmon Laws 38-42 

Albatross, Fiabing and Collecting by 45-48 

Aleutian Islands Fisbing and Mining Co 17,149 

Alexander, A. B 2,3 

Algonek Slough 132 

Alitak Bay 157 

Alaek River _ 129 

Anan, Bradfleld Canal ' 107 

Anchorage Bay 166 

Annette Island 66 

Annual per cent v.alue of total Salmon Pack of 

Alaska, 1878 to 1897, Tabular Stat«ment 53 

Arctic Fishing Co 16,142 

Arctic Packing Co 10, 17, 157, 160, 173, 175 

Astoria and Alaska Packing Co 17, 121 

Ayakniik 146 

Badger Bay 62 

Banter &. West 75 

Bar.anof Island 121 

Baranof Packing Co 17 

B.aronovich Fishery 87 

Barricades at Afognak 163 

in Salmon Streams 36, 37, 71, 72, 78, 82, 86, 88, 91, 99 

Bartlett Bay 124 

liartlett Bay Packing Co 17 

Bean, Tarleton H 144 

Bear Island 158 

Bell, Robert 47,102 

Bering Sea District 173-178 

Bering Sea Packing Co 17,176 

Biolaya ryba 5 

Big River 133 

Billy's Hole 138 

Blueback Salmon 5 

Boca do Quadra 62 

Booth, Franklin 144 

Boston Fishing and Tr.lding Co 17 

Brands and L.abcls 32 

Bristol B.-iy Canning Co 1«, 173 

Brocknmn, Fred 116 

Brown & Johnson's Stream 86 

Burroughs P..iy 100 



Page. 

Callbroalb, .1. C 10, 12, 109 

Canneries of Karluk District 148 

Cannerj' Fishermen 23 

Canning Processes 20 

Cans and Boxes for Canned Salmon 33 

Capo Edward Bay 121 

Cape Fox Packing Co 10, 62, 64 

Cape Lees Packing Co 17 

Carroll Inlet 08 

Central Alaska Co 17,172 

Chamberlain, F. M 3 

Ch.arts of Alaska Salmon Districts 48 

Chocats 100 

Cheniga 132, 138 

Chignik Bay 104 

Chignik B.ay Combination 18 

Chignik Bay Packing Co 17 

Chignik Lagoon 168 

Chignik River 168 

Chilkat 125 

Cbilkat Canning Co 17 

Chilkat Packing Co 16 

Chilkat River 127 

Chilkoot Inlet 125 

Cliilkoot River 1 27 

Chinese Labor at Salmon Canneries 23, 

93, 110, 117, 126, 131, 142, 150, 152, 107 

Chinook Salmon 5 

Cholmondeley Sound 84 

Chnuicha 5 

Clams .at Kl.awak Ill 

Clark & M artin 02, 64, 05 

Clark, George W 04 

Clarence Strait Halibut Ground 46 

Close Season for Salraoj* 40 

Codfish 124 

Cobo 3,5 

Collecting .and Fishing by the Alb.atross 45-48 

Columbia Salmon 5 

Common names of Alaska Salmon 5 

Cook Inlet District 140-143 

Copper River 133 

Co(j uenbena 130 

Cordova Bay 08 

Cottonwood Point 133 

Crowley, D. W 97 

Cutting Packing Company 10,23,88,102 

Dall Harbor 69 

Depletion of Salmon Streams 34-37 

Description of Salmon Stream during Spawning 

Season 12 

Dolly Varden .and Cut-throat Trouts destructive of 

Salmon .Sp.awn 15 

Dolly V.arden Trout 1.5,128 

Doris Bay 103,165 

Drag Seines 22, 94,95 

III 



I'.ri.LETIN OF TIIK UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



3'agi!. 

IJriltins Gill Nets 22 

Duke Island 68 

Duncan, William (iG 

Eeke ll(j 

Eekelnlot 75 

Egegak Fishing Station 17B 

Equipment of Karluk Canneries 149 

Essawa 69 

Establishment of Salmon Canneries in Alaska 16-21 

Etolinlslanil 75,109 

Extentiind importance of Southeast Alaska District. 61 

EyakLake 132,1:15,136 

FallsCreek 121 

Fassett, H. C 3 

Fictitious Cannery Names 32 

Filling Machine 24,28 

Fish Creek 65 

Fish Hatcheries in Alaska Region 10, 

38, 63, 70, 75, 83, 109, 113. 120, 155, 163 

Fish Traps 116,161 

at Cook Inlet 143 

.It Uganuk 150 

Fishermen .it S.-ilmon Canneries 23 

in Karluk Kegion 152 

Fishermen's Packing Co 165 

Fishing and Collecting hy the Alhatross 45-48 

Fishing-ground «if Karluk Kegion 146 

Fraser River Salmon 5 

Garrett, L. M 3 

George Inlet 08 

George \V. Hume Cannery 17 

Gill nets 22,45,07,105 

in Cook Inlet 143 

in Copper River 134 

in Metlilkahtla Fisheries 07 

Glacier River 132 

Graham, S.V 3 

Guano made from Herring 124 

Gua Wilson .Slough 133 

GutBay 121 

Halibut trials hy the Alhatross 45 

H,arvester Island 158 

Hatcheries in Alaska Region 10, 

38, 63, 70, 75, 83, 109, 113, 120, 155, 103 

Helm Bay 91 

Herring of Alaska 123 

Herring packe^l at Killisnoo 124 

Herring Trap at Kootznahoo Inlet 122 

Hessa 116 

Hessa Inlet 72 

Hetta Inlet 73 

Hnme-Aleuti.in Compact 149 

Hume Bros, illume 17,18,160 

Hume Canning and Trading Co 17,149 

Hume, George W 141 

Hume Packing Co 17, 149 

Humpback Salmon destructive of Redfish Eggs 15 

Hunter Bay 68 

Hunter B.ay Region 77 

Illegal Fishing at Karluk 147 

for S.almon 34 

Improvement in Method of Fishing at Karluk 153 

Indian B.arrioade8 of Sjilmon Streams 37 

Indian Labor at Sahnou Canneries 24, 25, 109, 117 

Indians, Relations to .Salmon Fisheries 43 

Itinerary of the Albatross 2 

Jackson li.iy 138 



Page. 

Jack Pot Stream 138 

Kaguyak 1 47 

Ka-hehe 116 

Kah-Shakes 02 

Kah Sh.akes Cove 64 

Kah .Sheets 1 00, 108 

Kaknu River 140 

Karluk 144 

Karluk and Chignik District 144-172 

Karluk Hatchery 155 

Karluk P-acking Co 10,148 

Karluk River 145 

Karluk River Fisheries 18,148,149 

KartaBay 87 

Karta Bay Stream 89 

Kasaan Bay Stre.am 85 

Kassook 116 

Kassook Inlet 70 

Kegan 7B 

Kenai 130, 140 

Ketchikan 64 

Killisnoo 121-125 

Kiua 90 

King Salmon 99,100,124,131,134 

Kinney, M. J ' 62, 125 

Kisutch 5 

Kitliraum Stream 84 

Kiuk River 143 

Klak.is 110 

Klakas Inlet and Stream 70 

Klawak 109-1 15 

Khnvak, Cannery at 16 

Klinkivan 70 

Klootchmen 3, 24 

Kluek 6 

Kodi.ik P.iekingCo 17,148,157 

Kootzn.ahoo Inlet 123 

Kosmikott; W.alter 109 

KouBay 121 

Krasnaya ryba 5 

KuiuBay 121 

Kukak 147 

Kussilof River 141 

Kvich.ak River 174 

Labels and Br.inds of Salmon Canneries 32 

Labor at Salmon Canneries 23, 

93, 109, 110, 117, 126, 131, 142, 150, 1.52, 107 

Ladd, CD 143 

LakeBay 100 

LakeEy.ik 135-136 

Larsen Bay 159 

Late-.spawning Salmon 12 

Laws relating to AKaska Salmon 38-42 

Lewis, R.E 144 

Little Kayak Isl.and 129 

Little River 133,147,159 

Little Whale B.ay 120 

Louis Sloss A- Co 130,172 

Markets for Canned Salmon .' 32 

Marten Arm 62,64 

Marten River 133 

Mary Island 62 

McCtluley, Thomas 106 

McDoniild Bay 97 

McGninness, J. P 3 

Metlakahtla 43,66 

Metlakuhtla Industrial Co 17 



INDKX TO ALASKA SALMON HKl'OKT. 



llilkr, Jain.'S 100 

Miner's Hiver 132 

Mink Arm 62 

Mink Arm Stream 84 

Mitcbcll Island.... 129 

Morgan, David 125 

Moira Sound 78 

Moser, J. F., on tbo Salmon and Salmon Fisliurius of 

Alaska 1-178 

Mountain Slougli 132 

Mud Bay 165 

Murray, Hugh 125 

NabaBay 92 

Naba Stream 95 

Naknek Packing Co 17 

Naknok River 175 

Nockcr Bay 120 

New Metlakahtla 66 

Nibla<-k Ancliorage 82 

Nichols Bay 70 

Nichols Bay and Tributaries 71 

Nortliea.st Harbor 147 

Northern Packing Co 17,141 

North Pacific Trading and Packing Co 16 

Northwest Trading Co 121 

NowiskKay 82 

Nnsbagak Packing Co 17, 173 

NusbagakKiver 173 

Nutqua Inlet 73 

Odiak 130 

Glial in Karluk Kiver 157 

OHara Bay 121,128 

Oil made from Herring 134 

Old Johnson Stream 80 

Old Sitka, Cannery at 16 

Old Tom Stream 85 

Old Village 107 

OlsenBay 121,128 

Oncorbynclms gorbusclia 5 

kota 5 

kisut<;1i 5 

nerka 5 

tscbawytscha 5 

Onoida, ship 172 

Orca 131 

Orr,Cyrus 108 

Orzenoy 171 

Output of Alaska Salmon Canneries, 1878-1897, Tabu- 
lar Statement 51-52 

Output of Alaska Packing Companies since Organi- 
zation, together with Ownership in 1897, Tabular 

Statement 53 

Output of Karluk Canneries 149 

Pacific Packing Co 17,130 

Pacific Steam Wlialing Co 17. 18, 21, 08. 131 

PackingClanis at Klawak 111 

Pack of Alaska Salmon in 1897, Table showing Cases 

and Percentage G 

Parmcnter, H.E 3 

Pcder.son, L. A 175 

Peninsula Trading and Fishing Co 17 

Percentage of Packs of Alaska Salmon Districts, 

1878-1897 3 

Pete Dahl Slough 133 

Peter Johnson Stream 83 

Pillar Bay Stream 121 



Page. 

Pl.inof Klawak Hatchery 117 

Point Barrio 1(18, 121 

Point Ellis 121 

Point Roberts Packing Co 17,174 

Port Althorp 128 

Port Bainbridge 138 

PortFildiigo 138 

Portflravina 138 

PortMoller 177 

Port Viildes 138 

Prices of Canned Salmon 33 

Prince of \V,ilcs Island, Northeast Side 106 

Prince William Sound 137 

Prince William Sound and Copper Iliver Region 129-139 

Processes at Salmon Canneries 2tj ' 

Prosi>er Fishing Co 174 

Puree Seines 22 

Pyramid Harbor 125 

Pyramid Harbor Packing Co 10, 125 

(Quadra Packing Co 17 

Quadra Kcdlish, .Size of 63 

Quadra Stream and Lake 62 

Queen, Steamer 40 

Quinnat Salmon 5 

Qui.sutsch 5 

Ratz Harbor 104 

Red Bay 107 

Redfish Bay 116-121 

Redfish Hatchery at Karluk 35 

Redoubt 120 

Kedoubt.St. Nicola.s 140 

Red River 146 

Regulation of Work in Karluk Canneries 152 

Relations between Salmon Fisheries antl Indians... 43 

Relative Importance of Alaska Salmons 6 

Retorts and Test Kettles 28 

Revillagigedo Channel 62 

Rhode &■ Johnson 97 

Rights of Indians to Streams 22, 43, 74, 88 

Royal Packing Co 17,164 

Rubber Boot Stream 138 

Run of Salmon in Hunter Bay Region 77 

Runs of Alaska Salmon 7, 74, 77, 90, 114, 139, 143, 147, 109 

Russian-American Packing Co 17,10(1,104 

Sacramento Salmon 5 

Salino mykiss 15 

Salmon Bay 107 

Salmon Canneries in Alaska, Establishment of 10-21 

operated in Alaska, 1878-1897, 

Tabular Statement 50 

.Sahuou i-.anuing Operations in Alaska, 1878-1897, 

Tabular Statement 49 

Salmon (Jatch at Karluk 144 

Fishery and Cannery Methods 22-34 

Methods 22 

Hatchery near Karluk... , 155 

Inspectors 42 

Law 38 

Pack of AUska Canneries for 1896, Tabular 

Statement 54 

of Alaska Canneries for 1897, Tabular 

Statement 55 

returning to Sea 14 

Runs 7,74,77,96, 114 

at Karluk 147 

.Sound 1.18 



vr 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Page, 

Siiliiion Traps 41,170 

Saltery at Burroughs Bay lUO 

Kassook 76 

Klawak 109 

Naba Bay 'J2 

Nutqualulct 7;( 

Pillar Bay Stream 121 

Sukkwan 75 

ThornoBay .' 102 

Ugasbik 177 

Saltery Statistics 60 

Salting Salmon 21, 124 

Salvelinus malma 15, 45 

Sanborn iV Ellmore 121 

Sar-Kar 116 

Saukeye 5 

Saw-kwfy 5 

Saw-qui 5 

Scandinavian Packing Co 1G5 

Seal Bocks 146 

Seines in Cbilkoot Ptiver 128 

at Karluk 152 

Sbad 103 

Shipley Bay 109,121 

Sbips and Boats at Karluk 154 

Sbumagin Packing Co 17,165 

Sbushitna River 143 

Silver Salmon 5 

Simpson Bay 138 

SitkohBay 121 

Size of Salmon 169 

Skowl 71 

Skowl Arm 85 

Skowitz 5 

Smith Bay 121,121! 

Smith A: Hirsch 16.148 

Snug Harbor 158 

Sockeye 5 

Soldering Machine 26 

Somerset River 138 

Southeast Alaska District 61-128 

Spawning and other Habits of Alaska Salmon 9-15 

Spawning-ground of Alaska Salmon 11 

Spawniug-nests of Alaska Salmon 11 

Spring Salmon 5 

Spuhn .fc Vanderbilt 121 

Statistics of Alaskan Salmon Industry 49-60 

Steam Power in Karluk Fisheries 153 

Stikine River 105 

Stirling, Tatea 3 

Stone, Livingston 144, 163 

Stranger River 128 

Streams of Boca de Quadra Region 64 

Sturgeon 128 

Sukkwan 75.116 

Surge Bay 121,128 

Taku River 126 

Tamgass Harbor 68 

Tar Stream "it 



Tebenkof Bay 

Tost Kettles 

Thin Point 

Thin Point Packing Co. . . . 

Thome Arm 

Thorne Bay 

Tin used for Salmon Cans . 

Togiak 

Tok-hehe 

Tougass Narrows 

Tongasa Packing Co 

Topping Machine 

Totems 

Trap at Chiguik Lagoon . . 

Killisnoo 

Kussilof 



Trawls 

Tschavitche 

Tsimpsean Indians 

Tuliumnit Point 

Tustumena Lake 

Tyee Salmon 

Tyonek 

Uganuk 

Uganuk Bay _ 

Uganuk Fishing Station 

Ugasbik Fishing Station 

Ugasbik River 

Union Bay 

Uyak Anchorage 

Uyak Bay 

Uyak Lake 

Value of Plants, Number of Employees, and Fish- 
ing Apparatus, Alaska Salmon Canneries lor 1896, 
Tabular Statement 

Value of Plants. Number of Employees, and Fish- 
iug Apparatus, Alaska Salmon Canneries for 1897, 
Tabular Statement 

Vessels and Boats employed by Alaska Salmon Can- 
neries iu 1896, Tabular Statement 

Vessels and Boats employed by Alaska Salmon Can- 
neries in 1897, Tabular Statement 

Vixen Bay 

Vixen Bay Stream 

"Wages in Bering Sea District 

Ward Cove 

Warm Chuck 

Weasel Cove 

Weight of Salmon 14,31.83,93,120,126.140, 

Western Alaska Company 

Whale Passage 

Williams, Brown & Co 

Wingham Island 

Wrangell : 

Wraugell Narrows 

Yakntat 

Yea Bay 

Zapors 



